Andra Wilkinson, PhD, is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health and a Researcher at Child Trends. She holds a PhD in Maternal and Child Health from UNC Chapel Hill (2016) and an MSPH from the same institution. Her research focuses on adolescent health, gender norms, and implementation science, with a particular emphasis on substance use, mental health, and sexual risk behavior, especially how masculinity influences these behaviors. Dr. Wilkinson has expertise in longitudinal analysis and multilevel modeling, and her work often integrates mixed-methods approaches. Key research interests include: Substance use patterns and gender disparities Adolescent mental health trajectories Implementation of evidence-based practices in healthcare systems South African youth unemployment and its health implications Awards include induction into Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society (2016), a NIDA F31 Training Grant (2014-2016), and the Ibrahim Fellowship from Gillings School (2012). Her work at Child Trends focuses on applied research in adolescent development and public health policy, while her academic role at UNC involves teaching and mentoring in implementation science. Notable publications explore bidirectional relationships between substance use and depression, rural South African youth employment challenges, and cost-effectiveness of postpartum depression screening. Dr. Wilkinson has collaborated with institutions like Kaiser Permanente on evidence-based practice adoption and evaluation, reflecting her dual focus on academic research and real-world policy impact.
Ben Allen, Ph.D., serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kansas, where he investigates how environmental contexts—from individual and household levels to neighborhood influences—shape health behaviors and disease processes. His research emphasizes translating scientific insights into public understanding, highlighting that health fundamentally begins where people live. Education: B.A., Eastern Michigan University M.A., Virginia Tech Ph.D., Virginia Tech Dr. Allen's work spans Health Psychology , Clinical Psychology , and Environmental Health , with specialized focus on child and adolescent mental health , anxiety and depression , and cognitive biases . He pioneers methodological integration of explainable AI , machine learning , and neuroscience techniques (including mobile eye-tracking and fMRI) to capture real-world behavioral patterns. His research examines parenting dynamics, family-environment interactions, and neural correlates of social evaluation, often through longitudinal and ecologically valid designs. Analysis of his 2019-2025 publications reveals consistent emphasis on youth anxiety mechanisms, particularly the interplay between cognitive-affective processes (attention/interpretation biases) and family factors. A defining trend is his innovative use of mobile technology to bridge laboratory findings with real-world contexts, such as measuring in vivo attention during parent-child conflicts or social evaluations. His work increasingly addresses systemic issues like diversity barriers in clinical training programs. No scientific awards were documented in available sources. Information regarding student advising, grant funding, or laboratory infrastructure was not specified in current materials.
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dominik Schultes is an academic faculty member at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) with a focus on Computer Science , particularly in Mobile Application Development and Software Transpilation . His contact details include email Dominik.Schultes@iem.thm.de and office location B1.3.06 . Research Areas SequalsK : A Bidirectional Swift-Kotlin Transpiler Mobile Learning : Development of educational apps Teaching Activities Prof. Schultes teaches multiple computer science courses across semesters, including: Software Development (MIB8, MIB4) Theoretical Computer Science and Algorithmics (MIB15) Mobile Applications (MIB19, MIB29, MIM2) Web Programming (MIB7) Team Project (MIM5) StudiumPlus programs focusing on Algorithms, Data Structures, and Mobile Technologies
Tetta Hämäläinen serves as a Research Fellow at the Department of Psychology within the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä. Her academic work centers on developing and evaluating digital mental health solutions for adolescents, particularly through the Youth Compass Research Group's initiatives. Her research specialization spans adolescent psychology and digital intervention design, with deep expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) frameworks. She investigates how interactive, gamified online tools influence psychological well-being, school engagement, and behavioral patterns among youth. Key methodological focuses include longitudinal analysis of usage activity, adherence mechanisms, and bidirectional relationships between behavior and well-being outcomes in school settings. Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal a cohesive research trajectory examining ACT-based internet interventions, particularly the Youth Compass program. Her work consistently analyzes Finnish adolescent populations, emphasizing practical implementation in educational contexts while exploring therapeutic mechanisms like perceived usefulness and satisfaction. Cross-cutting themes include digital accessibility of mental health resources and context-specific adaptation of clinical techniques. Scientific Awards: No awards documented in available materials Regarding academic mentoring and funding, current documentation indicates no supervised students or externally funded grants. Her collaborative publications suggest interdisciplinary teamwork with colleagues across psychology and education disciplines, though specific grant histories remain unreported. As an active member of the Youth Compass Research Group, she contributes to developing and validating the gamified Youth Compass intervention platform. This research collective specifically examines how brief, interactive digital tools can systematically enhance well-being skills among adolescents through structured therapeutic activities and real-time feedback mechanisms.
Christopher Donnelly is an Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, and Neurobiology at Duke University School of Medicine. He is a member of the Duke Cancer Institute and the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, with a research focus on neuroimmunology and applied pain research. D.D.S., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2018) Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2018) Postdoctoral Training, Duke University (2018-2020) His multidisciplinary research program explores the bidirectional relationship between pain and inflammation, emphasizing molecular crosstalk between sensory neurons and immune cells, glial cells, cancer cells, and microorganisms. Key projects include understanding neuroimmune mechanisms in bone cancer pain, temporomandibular joint disorders, and neuropathic pain, with techniques ranging from conditional genetics to single-cell transcriptomics. Recent publications highlight roles of the STING pathway in pain modulation, PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint in neuronal excitability, and Toll-like receptors in inflammatory pain. His grants include NIH awards for neuroimmune pain research, adrenergic antagonist development, and TMJ neural architecture studies. Hatton Award, Post-doctoral Category - 1st Place, AADOCR (2020) Hatton Award, Post-doctoral Category - 1st Place, IADR (2020) Dr. Donnelly serves as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, directing a neuroscience course for dental students. His lab team includes postdoctoral associates, technicians, and graduate students.
Jasminka Štefulj is a Professor and Head of the Laboratory for Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology at the Ruđer Bošković Institute (Zagreb, Croatia). With a PhD in Biology from the University of Zagreb, she leads research on serotonin (epi)genetics and its role in complex diseases, particularly maternal-fetal interactions, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Education: BSc (1997), MSc (2000), PhD (2005) from University of Zagreb; Postdoc at Medical University of Graz (2006-2008) Key Projects: Croatian Science Foundation grants on maternal metabolic-serotonin interactions (2018-2022), Catholic University collaborations (2016-2018), international mobility grants (Austria, Germany, Japan) Research Themes : Focus on Serotonin signaling in placental development and neonatal outcomes Epigenetic mechanisms linking maternal metabolic states to fetal gene regulation Genetic models of serotonin homeostasis in obesity and psychiatric conditions Neurochemical pathways in Alzheimer's disease and lipid metabolism Scientific Contributions include 15+ recent publications on DNA methylation, placental gene expression, and metabolic-serotonin interactions. Awards : Visiting Scientists Program (Austria), Austrian Government Fellowship, Rector's Award (Zagreb). She mentors graduate students and leads international collaborations while teaching at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine and Catholic University of Croatia.
Francesco Iannuzzo is a Full Professor at the Department of Energy (DENERG) of Politecnico di Torino, with research focused on power electronics and reliability engineering . He is a member of the Power Electronics Innovation Center (PEIC) and contributes to IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) as a Board member (2024-2026). His scientific disciplinary sector is IIND-08/A (Converters, Machines, and Electric Drives). IEEE Fellow (2012-) IEEE Senior Member Editor-in-Chief, POWER ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND COMPONENTS Editorial Series His research investigates reliability measurements and improvement strategies for power electronic components, spanning areas like wide band-gap semiconductors , thermal stress analysis , and condition monitoring systems . Recent work includes innovations in GaN/SiC device temperature monitoring, bond wire degradation, and automotive sector SiC integration. Analysis of his 15 most recent articles reveals trends in IGBT module reliability , multichip power cycling , and smart grid applications . Key sub-fields include thermal management, sensor reduction, and bidirectional power transfer systems. Teaching activities include advising PhD students in Information Technologies at the University of Parma (2020-2024) and course collaborations in Electrical Technologies for eMobility, Hybrid Propulsion Systems, and Battery Modeling. He serves as course instructor for Reliability of Power Electronics Devices in Electrical Engineering programs.
Trachette Jackson serves as University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor and Associate Vice President for Research-Strategic Partnerships and Inclusive Excellence at the University of Michigan. She holds a tenured faculty position in the Department of Mathematics with research spanning mathematical biology and applied mathematics. Her research specializes in mathematical and computational modeling of tumor growth , focusing on vascular progression from mutation acquisition through metastasis to treatment response. Key areas include: Mathematical approaches for vascular tumor progression and targeted therapeutics Molecular-level cancer therapy modeling targeting tumor microenvironments Optimization of combined molecular therapeutics and chemotherapy Cancer stem cell-driven tumor growth dynamics Bidirectional communication between endothelial and tumor cells Dr. Jackson teaches BIOINF 463, BIOPHYS 463, and MATH 463 (Mathematical Modeling in Biology), connecting molecular events with cellular proliferation, migration, and survival dynamics to predict therapeutic outcomes. Her work aims to reduce bench-to-bedside transition time for novel cancer treatments through interdisciplinary science. She maintains an active research program developing mathematical models that: Link molecular signaling to tumor vascular composition changes Address evasive therapeutic resistance mechanisms Optimize drug treatment strategies using experimental data integration Office: 3854 East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1043 | Phone: 764-8537
Dr. Marlies Maes is an Assistant Professor in Youth Studies at Utrecht University's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences , focusing on adolescent loneliness. Her work integrates psychometrics and meta-analysis through the MASLO database (Meta-Analytic Study of Loneliness), analyzing over 2,300 studies across 60+ countries. Specializes in loneliness conceptualization and measurement Key collaborations with Pers Lab and Dynamics of Youth (DoY) program Research spans social relationships , chronic conditions, bullying, and pandemic impacts. Recent meta-analyses explore: Child maltreatment-loneliness links Single-item loneliness scale reliability Personality trait-loneliness correlations She contributes to educational tools like the Differential Loneliness Scale (DLS) and Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents (LACA), while mentoring students in quantitative research methods.
William E. Bentley is the Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he serves as the Inaugural Director of the Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices and Director of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech). He holds dual appointments in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, with additional affiliation at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research. Dr. Bentley earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1989, following a Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. His academic journey began at the University of Maryland in 1989, where he has remained throughout his distinguished career, founding the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and establishing himself as a leader in the field. His pioneering research focuses on the interface between biology and electronics, developing methodologies to interrogate and control molecular signaling both inside and outside of cells. Dr. Bentley's lab uses metabolic engineering and synthetic biology to rewire genetic circuits, with particular emphasis on bacterial quorum sensing systems and redox-based communication between biological systems and electronic devices. His groundbreaking work has established the field of 'electrogenetics,' which enables electronic control of biological function through redox signaling pathways. Current research explores creating 'smart' cellular systems that can recognize, compute, actuate, and deliver therapeutic agents in a programmed manner. Dr. Bentley's recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward developing bidirectional communication between biological systems and electronic devices, with applications in protein analysis, biosensors, and therapeutic delivery systems. His work increasingly focuses on redox-based information processing and the development of 'biohybrid' systems that bridge the gap between electronics and biology, representing a paradigm shift in how we interface with biological systems. Among his numerous honors are: Distinguished University Professor (2016) Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Chair of Engineering (2016) Charles Thom Award, Society of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (2013) AIChE Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Division Award (2012) University System of Maryland Regents' Faculty Award for Research (2011) Fellow of the American Chemical Society, American Academy of Microbiology, AAAS, and AIMBE Dr. Bentley has mentored more than 40 PhD students and 15 postdocs, many of whom now hold leadership positions in industry, federal agencies, and academia. His research has been continuously supported by major grants from NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, FDA, and USDA, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature and significance of his work. He co-founded Chesapeake PERL, a protein manufacturing company based on insect larvae as mini bioreactors, demonstrating his commitment to translating research into practical applications. He leads the Biomolecular and Metabolic Engineering Laboratory, which has developed innovative approaches to biofabrication and electro-bio interfaces. Current research focuses on creating systems that enable 'programming' of biological function through redox communication, with applications in treating bacterial infections, developing next-generation biosensors, and advancing our understanding of cellular communication networks. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with industry partners and international research groups, particularly with institutions in Italy through the UMD-Trento partnership.
Associate Professor Berna Akçinar Yayla is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences at Işık University , İstanbul. She completed her B.A. in Preschool Teaching at Boğaziçi University (2001-2006), followed by an M.Sc. in Developmental Psychology at Koç University (2006-2009) and a Ph.D. in Psychology at Koç University (2010-2015). Her research spans developmental psychology , social and emotional development , parenting and family dynamics , father involvement , work-family conflict , and resilience . Dr. Yayla investigates how parental behaviors, cultural gender norms, and ecological stressors (e.g., COVID-19, earthquakes) shape children's socio-emotional outcomes across diverse Turkish samples. She employs longitudinal, cross-cultural, and mixed-methods designs to identify both risk and protective mechanisms. Between 2018 and 2024 her peer-reviewed articles concentrate on psychological resilience , parenting under pandemic stress , work-family spillover effects , and health behavior cognitions . These studies collectively reveal how individual factors (emotion regulation, perfectionism, fear) interact with contextual variables (job stress, family support) to predict mental health outcomes in adults and children. Scientific Awards & Honors Graduation Degree with High Honors – Boğaziçi University Doctoral Advising & Funded Projects Dr. Yayla currently supervises 20 doctoral dissertations at Işık University (2021-2025 cohorts) exploring topics such as resilience, attachment, parenting, social media addiction, and disaster-related interventions. She has been principal investigator or co-investigator on 17 national and international projects, including: UNICEF-funded programs on child marriage prevention and parenting interventions European Family Support Network initiatives TÜBİTAK and university grants examining work-family conflict, earthquake trauma, and COVID-19 mental health She teaches Developmental Psychology , Research Methods , Measurement Techniques , and Culture, Family & Gender to both graduate and undergraduate students in English and Turkish.
Mahsa Shoaran is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) jointly appointed at the Center for Neuroprosthetics and the Institute of Electrical Engineering . She is also the founding director of the Integrated Neurotechnologies Laboratory (INL) and contributes to several doctoral programs and teaching missions across EPFL’s School of Engineering (STI). Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, EPFL (2015) M.Sc. & B.Sc., Sharif University of Technology Postdoctoral Fellow, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (2015-2017) Former Assistant Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University (2017-2019) Research Focus: Dr. Shoaran’s work sits at the convergence of integrated circuit design , machine learning , and neuroscience . Her group develops ultra-low-power, miniaturized system-on-chips (SoCs) capable of real-time neural recording , pathology detection , and closed-loop therapeutic intervention such as adaptive neurostimulation. Machine-learning algorithms running on-chip enable precise symptom detection in neurological and psychiatric disorders, while advanced circuit techniques guarantee energy efficiency suitable for long-term implantable or wearable neural interfaces. Scientific Awards & Grants: ERC Starting Grant 2021 Google Faculty Research Award in Machine Learning 2019 Swiss NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships NSF Award for Young Professionals – Smart & Connected Health MIT EECS Rising Star 2015 Doctoral Advising & Service: She currently supervises 14 PhD students in the Integrated Neurotechnologies Laboratory. Additionally, she serves on the PhD program committees for Electrical Engineering (EDEE), Microsystems & Microelectronics (EDMI), and contributes to the Neuro-X and SEL teaching programs. She is a Technical Program Committee member for IEEE CICC and serves on the Student Research Preview committee for ISSCC. Laboratory & Collaborative Teams: The Integrated Neurotechnologies Laboratory (INL) at EPFL Campus Biotech in Geneva hosts her interdisciplinary team of circuit designers, machine-learning researchers, and neuroscientists. The lab collaborates closely with clinicians to translate innovations into real-world neuroprosthetic and diagnostic devices.
Charikleia Lampraki is a Doctoral Program and Scientific Officer at the University of Geneva's LIVES program. Her research focuses on aging populations, examining intersections between cognitive functioning, mental health, and social behavior. Current affiliation: LIVES Doctoral Program (University of Geneva) Collaborations: Cross-national European studies (26 countries) Methodology: Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses Research interests include: Psychological resilience in aging Impact of social relationships on mental health Digital technology's role in stress moderation Human-animal interaction effects on cognition Developmental continuity in late adulthood Recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining: Gerontological and psychological frameworks Public health and behavioral science perspectives Quantitative analysis of large European datasets Investigations into stress moderators and coping mechanisms Notable collaborations include work with: Andreas Ihle (aging studies) Daniela Jopp (psychological development) Jürgen Maurer (longitudinal research) Dario Spini (self-identity analysis)
Karlien Demol serves as a Researcher at KU Leuven within the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, specifically affiliated with the School Psychology and Development in Context unit. She concurrently holds the leadership position of Institute Coordinator for the KU Leuven Institute for Child and Youth (LC&Y), directing interdisciplinary research on developmental processes. Her research program centers on the complex interplay between school-based bullying dynamics, teacher-student relational quality, and adolescent socioemotional outcomes. Current investigations examine identity-related bullying in primary schools through longitudinal and experimental designs, with particular focus on how teacher attributions and response patterns mediate victimization consequences. This work consistently bridges theoretical developmental frameworks with practical classroom applications. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals strong methodological diversity including person-centered analyses of teacher response typologies, cross-cultural validation studies, and multi-wave longitudinal tracking of victimization trajectories. Her scholarship demonstrates consistent emphasis on how teacher-student relationships buffer peer victimization effects while identifying critical windows for intervention during early adolescence. Demol actively contributes to academic infrastructure as co-promoter of the 2023-2027 project 'Beyond prejudice: Research into the role of teachers in identity-related bullying in primary school' and through membership on both the Bachelor and Master Psychology Program Committees. Her LC&Y leadership role involves coordinating research teams across developmental, clinical, and educational psychology subfields to address child welfare challenges through evidence-based approaches.
Eva Ceulemans is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at KU Leuven, Belgium, where she also serves as Vice Dean for Research. She is affiliated with the Quantitative Psychology and Individual Differences research unit and holds leadership positions including Program Director of the POC Doctoral Program PPW and membership on the Advisory Council for Humanities Research. Her research focuses on advanced statistical methodologies for psychological science, particularly: Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) and intensive longitudinal data analysis Affective dynamics and emotion measurement in daily life Development of novel statistical approaches for dyadic and triadic interactions Sample size planning for N=1 studies Time series analysis for psychological phenomena Dr. Ceulemans' recent publications demonstrate her dual expertise in methodological innovation and substantive psychological questions. She has made significant contributions to experience sampling methodology, including the development of episode-contingent designs, synchronization measures for triadic interactions (AMPC measure), and tools for measuring continuous affect. Her work bridges sophisticated statistical modeling with real-world applications in emotion research and relationship science. Her scientific leadership includes: Development of the ConNEcT R package for contingency measure-based networks Innovative approaches to detecting affective episodes in daily life Methods for improving measurement of affect in ecological settings Framework for sample size determination in ESM studies As an educator, Dr. Ceulemans teaches statistics courses for psychology and educational science students at KU Leuven, including 'Statistics for Educational Scientists' and 'Inductive Statistics for Psychologists.' Her institutional service spans multiple faculty committees focused on research policy, evaluation, and doctoral education, reflecting her substantial impact on academic governance.
