Dr. Erik Linstead is an Associate Professor and Senior Associate Dean at Chapman University, affiliated with the Fowler School of Engineering, School of Pharmacy, and George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics. His expertise spans Machine Learning, GPU Programming, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Assistive Technologies, Predictive Analytics, and Virtual Reality. Education: Bachelor of Science, Chapman University Master of Science, Stanford University Ph.D., University of California, Irvine Dr. Linstead's research integrates machine learning with diverse domains, including autism treatment, environmental monitoring, and software engineering. His recent publications focus on coral reef health, land surface temperature trends, and embedded machine learning systems. His scholarly work includes collaborations in remote sensing, medical informatics, and neurodiversity support. Articles highlight his interdisciplinary approach, applying AI to ecological challenges (e.g., Red Sea coral reefs, Nile Basin droughts) and human-centered technologies (e.g., VR therapy for autism, medication adherence analysis).
Dr. Kevin Gee is a Professor in the School of Education at the University of California, Davis, specializing in the School Organization & Educational Policy emphasis area. He serves as Director of the School Policy, Research, and Action (SPARC) Center and is a Faculty Research Affiliate with the Center for Poverty & Inequality Research. As a 2020-25 Chancellor's Fellow, Dr. Gee leads research initiatives focused on vulnerable youth populations and educational policy impacts. His work bridges education, public health, and social welfare systems to address structural inequities affecting children's development and academic success. Dr. Gee's educational background includes: Ed.D., Harvard Graduate School of Education, Quantitative Policy Analysis in Education (2010) Ed.M., Harvard Graduate School of Education, International Education Policy (2006) M.P.I.A., University of California, San Diego, Pacific & International Affairs (cum laude, 2004) B.A., University of California, Berkeley, City & Regional Planning (magna cum laude, 1994) Dr. Gee's research centers on the critical intersection between health and education systems, examining how schooling can influence children's well-being. He investigates policies addressing adverse childhood experiences including bullying, food insecurity, abuse, and neglect. His work employs rigorous quantitative methods including Hierarchical Linear Modeling, longitudinal analysis, and experimental/quasi-experimental designs. Dr. Gee focuses particularly on vulnerable populations such as children with disabilities, Asian American and Pacific Islander youth, and those involved in the child welfare system, seeking data-driven solutions to educational inequities. Analysis of Dr. Gee's recent publications reveals a strong focus on educational equity, with particular attention to vulnerable student populations. His work spans school absenteeism patterns, bullying and hate speech against AAPI youth, food insecurity impacts, and health-related educational outcomes. The research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with public health researchers, and shows a growing emphasis on pandemic-related educational disruptions and their disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities. Dr. Gee's notable scientific awards include: National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015) Foundation for Child Development (FCD) Young Scholars Program Award (2014-2017) UC Davis Hellman Fellowship (2015-2016) Chancellor's Fellowship (2020-2021) Outstanding Faculty Award, Asian Pacific American UC-Systemwide Alliance (2023) Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Advanced Research Collaborative, CUNY (2022) Dr. Gee serves as Principal Investigator for multiple significant grants, including the Heising-Simons Foundation project on districtwide family engagement strategies and chronic absenteeism (2024-2026), and the UC Davis SEED funding for research on how Asian American and Pacific Islander youth confront bullying. He also serves as Co-Investigator on the AAPI Data Grant examining school climate influences on bullying experiences. His grant portfolio demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly between education and public health researchers, with a consistent focus on generating actionable insights for educational policymakers and practitioners. As Director of the School Policy, Research, and Action (SPARC) Center at UC Davis, Dr. Gee leads a research team focused on generating data-informed insights about underserved and overlooked youth in educational policy. The center's work specifically supports Asian American and Pacific Islander youth who have experienced bullying, children with chronic absenteeism, and child welfare-involved youth who have experienced maltreatment. The SPARC Center collaborates with various California school districts and state agencies to translate research into practical policy recommendations and implementation strategies.
Professor Karin Sanders serves as Associate Dean (Research) at the UNSW Business School, where she is affiliated with the School of Management and Governance. With over two decades of academic experience, she has established herself as a leading scholar in Human Resource Management, particularly focusing on the HR process approach and employee perceptions of HR practices. Her research has been published in top-tier journals including HRM (Wiley), Academy of Management Learning & Education, Human Resource Management Journal, and International Journal of HRM. Professor Sanders' research primarily centers on the HR process approach, examining how employees' perceptions, understanding, and attributions of HR practices influence their attitudes and behaviors. Her work explores critical areas such as informal learning activities, cooperative behavior, commitment, knowledge sharing, team learning, and absenteeism. She has made significant contributions to understanding the effects of alignment between line managers and HR managers on organizational climate, defined as shared perceptions of the organization among employees within a team. Her methodological approach often employs multi-actor, multi-level, and multi-method research designs, reflecting the complexity of HR phenomena in organizational contexts. As an influential academic leader, Professor Sanders serves as Editor for Special Issues at the International Journal of HRM and Associate Editor for Human Resource Management and Frontiers of Business Research in China. She sits on the Editorial Boards of six HRM and management journals. Previously serving as Head of School for Management between 2015 and 2019, she was also a member of the Executive Committee of the HR Division Academy of Management from 2013 to 2018. Her recent work has increasingly focused on HRM during crises, including the development of HR analytics and responses to the pandemic. Professor Sanders has secured substantial research funding, including an Australian Research Council Linkage Project on capacity building in the Not-For-Profit sector and multiple industry collaborations. She has edited several books, including the "Handbook on HR Process Research" (2021) with Huadong Yang and Charmi Patel. Her scholarly contributions bridge theoretical rigor with practical relevance, influencing both academic discourse and HR practice worldwide.
Professor Luke Connal is a full professor at the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University (ANU), where he leads the Connal Group. He joined ANU in 2017 after serving as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Currently, he holds an ARC mid-career industry fellowship and serves as the chair of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) polymer division. Professor Connal is also an associate editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry journal "Molecular Systems Design and Engineering" and co-founder of two spin-out companies focused on polymer technologies. Professor Connal received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and PhD in polymer chemistry from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Following his doctoral studies, he completed a post-doctoral position with Professor Frank Caruso at the University of Melbourne, developing new techniques for the self-assembly of polymers. He then held a joint Sir Keith Murdoch postdoctoral Fellowship and Australian Linkage International Fellowship at the University of California, Santa Barbara, working with Professor Craig Hawker. Professor Connal's research focuses on the development of molecular design concepts to create new materials for diverse applications, including artificial skin and tissues, sustainable polymers and surfactants, additive manufacturing electronics, and water harvesting. His core competencies center around advanced polymer design, self-assembly, and catalysis . His group explores four main research themes: Catalysis, Functional Materials and Interfaces, Soft Matter, and Supramolecular Chemistry . They develop innovative materials such as enzyme-inspired polymer catalysts, smart polymers for 3D printing, and polymer electrolytes for energy storage applications. Analysis of Professor Connal's recent publications reveals a strong focus on developing biomimetic materials and responsive polymers. His work bridges fundamental polymer chemistry with practical applications in environmental remediation, healthcare, and sustainable technologies. A notable trend is the increasing emphasis on CO2 capture technologies through enzyme-inspired catalysts and hydrogel systems. His group has also made significant contributions to 3D printing of functional materials , particularly self-healing gels and pH-responsive polymers. The research demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward creating smart, responsive materials with applications addressing global challenges in sustainability and healthcare. David Syme Research Prize (2020) Grimwade Prize in Industrial Chemistry (2019) Professor Connal actively supervises multiple PhD students including Lilian Boton, Jason Buchanan, Sandra Jestin, Saif Rahaman, Peidong Shen, Ming Li Tan, Moki Thanusing, and Jekaterina Viktorova. His current research is supported by several significant grants including projects on sustainable and compostable plastic alternatives, multimaterial 3D printed antenna arrays, developing vitrimers as next-generation reusable plastics, multi-material 3D printing, and smart materials for atmospheric water management. These projects demonstrate his commitment to translating fundamental polymer research into practical solutions for environmental and technological challenges. The Connal Group at ANU operates at the intersection of polymer chemistry and materials science, developing innovative solutions across multiple domains. Their laboratory work focuses on creating new polymers with applications spanning artificial skin development, sustainable packaging alternatives, atmospheric water harvesting, and advanced electronics. The group's unique approach combines biomimicry principles with cutting-edge polymer synthesis techniques to create materials with precisely controlled properties. Current projects include developing strong and self-healing polymer materials for biological applications, expanding 3D printing capabilities for functional materials, creating fully recyclable or compostable plastics, and designing thermoresponsive polymer desiccants for sustainable water harvesting.
Yun Fu is a Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), specializing in urban design and architecture. He co-founded SEMESTER, a design and research studio, and has held roles such as coordinator of the Design Discovery program and faculty affiliate at the Joint Center for Housing Studies. His work bridges theory and practice, focusing on risk, resilience, and sustainability in urban contexts. Education: Ph.D. from Harvard University (2020), Master of Architecture I (Advanced Placement) from Harvard GSD (with AIA Henry Adams Medal), and Bachelor of Architectural Studies from UNSW Sydney (with multiple awards). Research interests include seismic design, modern architecture in Asia Pacific, and the philosophical underpinnings of design intelligence. Recent projects explore suburban densification in New Zealand and interdisciplinary approaches to urban challenges. His books, such as Thinking and Building On Shaky Ground , have won major awards like the DAM Architecture Book Prize and Graham Foundation Grant. Teaching includes core studios like Elements of Urban Design and advanced seminars on urban theory. He has led interdisciplinary studios addressing real-world issues in the Asia Pacific, with student work featured in the NZ Listener and presented to government agencies. Awards include the Rome Prize Fellowship, Sinclair Kennedy Travelling Fellowship, and multiple design accolades from Dezeen and international furniture fairs. His studio, SEMESTER, has won global recognition for projects like the Temporary Storage Garden (2024 Dezeen Award).
S. Garnett Russell is an Associate Professor of International and Comparative Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, directing the International and Comparative Education Program and the George Clement Bond Center for African Education. Their research focuses on education's role in post-conflict societies, refugee education, human rights, and citizenship formation, often using mixed-methods approaches. Russell holds a PhD from Stanford University and has significant expertise in global education policy and transitional justice. Key research areas include post-genocide Rwanda, South Africa, Colombia, and urban refugee populations. Current projects examine transitional justice education in Colombia, civic identity among immigrant/refugee youth in the U.S., and refugee education policy. Russell has authored/co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles, policy briefs, and book chapters, with recent work analyzing language policies, textbook discourses, and human rights education implementation. Awards and recognitions are not explicitly listed, but their work has been supported by grants from Dubai Cares/INEE and the Spencer Foundation. Russell advises students in comparative and international education, focusing on fieldwork methodologies and policy analysis. Their teaching emphasizes global educational inequities and the sociopolitical dimensions of schooling.
Dr. Chao Fan is an Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Clemson University, affiliated with the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering. His research focuses on climate change adaptation, socio-environmental systems dynamics, and urban resilience, leveraging AI and data science. He holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University (2020), an M.S. from UC Davis (2017), and a B.S. from China University of Mining and Technology (2016). Dr. Fan's work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in disaster management, smart cities, and environmental justice. Key interests include social sensing for infrastructure disruptions, equity in urban mobility networks, and leveraging digital twins for resilience planning. His recent publications explore topics like wildfire impacts, PM2.5 exposure inequity, and carbon market mechanisms for infrastructure adaptation. Professional memberships include ASCE, ACM SIGKDD, AGU, and AAAS. His lab (fanchaolab.com) develops innovative solutions for climate adaptation and equitable urban systems, emphasizing fairness in AI-driven models and network analysis.
Jeppe Rich is a Professor at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). His primary research focuses on statistical and mathematical modeling applied to transport-related challenges, including transport demand modeling, discrete choice models, freight transport, cost-benefit assessments, and strategic long-term demand models. Rich holds a Mathematical Planning qualification from the University of Aarhus (1989–1995). He has held external positions as a Senior Consultant at Atkins A/S (2001–2002) and as a Researcher at the National Environmental Research Institute (1995–1998). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and climate action (SDG 13). His research interests span transport policy, transportation science, and the application of advanced modeling techniques to address urban mobility challenges. Notable areas include EV infrastructure planning, bicycle network optimization, and cost-benefit analysis of transport projects. He supervises several PhD students in topics like electric freight transport, micromobility safety, and urban charging infrastructure. Rich has published extensively on transport policy, demand modeling, and sustainable mobility solutions. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex transport challenges, combining engineering, economics, and data science methodologies.
Teng Wu is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo . His research focuses on wind engineering, hurricane risk assessment, and climate change adaptation in infrastructure systems. PhD, Civil Engineering, University of Notre Dame (2013) MS, Civil Engineering, University of Notre Dame (2012) MS, Bridge Engineering, Tongji University (2010) BS, Civil Engineering, Tongji University (2007) Minor, Financial Engineering, Fudan University (2006) Teng Wu's research spans multiple domains including Wind Engineering , Hurricane Engineering , Structural Engineering , and Climate Change Adaptation . He specializes in nonlinear aerodynamics, performance-based wind design, and computational fluid dynamics applications to infrastructure resilience. His recent publications focus on machine learning applications for storm surge prediction, wind-induced structural response analysis, and climate change-informed infrastructure recovery frameworks. Key methodologies include hierarchical deep neural networks, knowledge-enhanced models, and reinforcement learning-based control systems. Contact: tengwu@buffalo.edu | Office: 226 Ketter Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260
Keith Herman is a Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the Department of Educational, School & Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri’s College of Education & Human Development. His work focuses on developmental psychopathology, school mental health, and interventions targeting child depression. He leads initiatives in the Missouri Prevention Science Institute and collaborates with the Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition and FACE of Boone County. Dr. Herman’s research emphasizes teacher well-being, school climate, and culturally responsive practices, with recent studies addressing pandemic impacts on educators and systemic disparities in student outcomes. His educational background and training are not explicitly detailed in the text. Research interests include prevention science, intervention efficacy evaluation, and policy development for equitable educational systems. Recent work highlights innovative approaches like virtual classroom management training and stress intervention programs for rural teachers. Key awards include the Curators’ Distinguished Professor title. His articles consistently explore teacher stress, principal leadership, and student mental health through mixed-methods frameworks. Collaborations with institutions like the Network for Educator Effectiveness and the Hook Center for Educational Leadership reflect his emphasis on scalable solutions for educational challenges. Grants and advising activities are integral to his work, though specific projects are not listed. He co-leads the Missouri Prevention Science Institute, advancing evidence-based practices in schools. Current initiatives include scaling screening tools for student behavioral needs and promoting trauma-informed educational policies.
Mostafijur Rahman is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. His research leverages large environmental health datasets to study climate impacts on neurodevelopment, mental health, and cardiopulmonary outcomes. Research focuses on: Air pollution impacts on autism spectrum disorders Health effects of extreme heat and air pollution co-exposures Environmental justice and health disparities Climate vulnerability in urban populations Recent publications analyze prenatal exposures to particulate matter, mortality risks from extreme temperatures, and adaptation strategies in vulnerable communities. Methodological strengths include advanced statistical modeling of chemical mixtures and mixed-methods approaches. Awards and honors: Emerging Investigator designation by AJRCCM (2022) Best Poster Award, NYC Epidemiology Forum (2019) Dr. Morton Lippmann Scholarship, AIHA (2018)
Esra Agca Aktunc serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), teaching core courses including Introduction to ISE, Production and Operations Management, Facilities Design, Operations Research Methods, and Engineering Data Analytics across undergraduate and graduate programs. Her educational qualifications include: Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2013) M.Sc. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2011) B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Bilkent University (2008) Dr. Agca Aktunc's research integrates optimization, simulation, and data analytics across disaster management, healthcare systems, and energy systems . Her work addresses critical challenges including hospital evacuation logistics, pandemic impacts on energy infrastructure, and natural gas management under uncertainty, employing advanced analytical methods to solve resource-constrained real-world problems in dynamic environments. Publication analysis reveals a strategic research evolution: early work (2013-2019) focused on disaster response logistics and healthcare operations, while recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate increased specialization in energy systems, particularly electricity and natural gas demand forecasting during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This progression highlights her adaptive application of operations research to emerging societal challenges. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Information regarding student advising and research grants was not included in the available materials, though her extensive teaching portfolio indicates significant educational contributions.
Muhammad R. Hajj is the George Meade Bond Professor, Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, and Director of the Davidson Laboratory at Stevens Institute of Technology. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, his expertise lies in nonlinear dynamics , fluid-structure interactions , and energy harvesting , applying these to ship hydrodynamics , biomimetic flight/underwater vehicles , and coastal resilience . He has mentored 32 PhD students and authored over 170 journal publications. Education PhD (1990), MS (1985), Civil Engineering , University of Texas at Austin BE (1983), Civil Engineering (with Distinction) , American University of Beirut Research Interests Dr. Hajj’s work bridges nonlinear dynamics and fluid mechanics to address challenges in structural/aeroelastic stability , bio-inspired design , and renewable energy systems . His fluid-structure interaction studies focus on ship hydrodynamics , transonic flutter , and storm surge prediction , while his energy harvesting research explores piezoelectric systems , self-powered sensors , and biomimetic energy conversion . Recent Trends in Publications His 2022-2021 publications emphasize coastal extreme weather resilience via AI-driven storm surge modeling , bio-inspired robotic fish for underwater energy harvesting , and nonlinear aeroelastic systems to enhance renewable energy extraction . Themes include high-efficiency piezoelectric designs , vortex-induced vibration control , and ultrasonic contactless power transfer , reflecting his commitment to integrating nonlinear dynamics with practical engineering applications . Scientific Honors Fellow, Engineering Mechanics Institute, ASCE Distinguished Civil Engineering Alumni (AUB, 2019) Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research (VT, 2016) Distinguished Leader in Research (VT, 2016) Excellence in Research Award (VT, 2015) Advising and Grants Dr. Hajj has supervised 32 PhD students , many of whom hold prestigious roles in academia and industry. He has secured major grants, including $1.8M from the Department of Energy for floating wave energy converters , $4.94M from the Port Authority for storm surge forecasting , and $200K from the NSF for bio-inspired telemetry energy harvesting .
Frances O'Donnell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University, where she leads the Auburn Ecohydrology Lab. Her research focuses on ecohydrology, emphasizing vegetation-water cycle interactions, stormwater management, and ecosystem restoration with applications in geographically isolated wetlands and transportation infrastructure resilience. Education: Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University B.A. in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University Research Interests: Dr. O'Donnell investigates soil moisture dynamics and evapotranspiration processes to develop green infrastructure solutions for stormwater management. Her work integrates field measurements, hydrological modeling, and remote sensing to quantify ecosystem services of wetlands and improve climate resilience in water systems. Key projects examine forest restoration impacts on groundwater and sustainable practices for agricultural pollution mitigation. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal three dominant themes: landslide prediction along Alabama highways using soil moisture thresholds, sediment/nutrient dynamics in agricultural wetlands under climate change, and cost-optimization tools for green infrastructure. International collaborations in Haiti address drinking water accessibility, while Arizona watershed studies analyze forest management effects on water balance. Scientific Awards and Grants: NASA Research Grant for Geographically Isolated Wetlands USDA-NIFA Foundational and Applied Science Program Grant ($500,000) Advising and Collaborations: Dr. O'Donnell mentors graduate students through thesis research with real-world applications, including permeable pavement design tools and UAV-based water quality monitoring. She collaborates with NASA, USDA, and NOAA on federal projects, and her students publish in journals like Water Environment Research while securing positions at Virginia Tech and Geosyntec Consultants. Laboratory: The Auburn Ecohydrology Lab conducts field experiments in Alabama watersheds and Haiti, utilizing sensor networks, hydrological models, and drone technology to advance understanding of water-ecosystem interactions for sustainable infrastructure planning.
Giovanni Pica is a Full Professor of Economics and Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). He holds affiliations with the Institute of Political Economy (IdEP) and research centers like Centro Studi Luca D'Agliano, CSEF, and fRDB. His expertise spans Labour Economics, Financial Market Imperfections, and Globalization effects on labour markets. Education: Ph.D. from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, followed by roles at the University of Southampton, University of Salerno, and University of Milan. Current research focuses on internal capital/labour markets within organizations, non-tariff measures' impact on firms, and occupational licensing. Recent work addresses skilled immigration's dual economic impacts, firm organizational responses to trade barriers, and youth unemployment drivers. His findings appear in top journals like the Review of Economic Studies and Journal of Financial Economics. No scientific awards explicitly listed here. His teaching and research emphasize applied economics, education disparities, and labour market institutions. He advises on policy-relevant topics and collaborates across institutions to address economic challenges.
