Jūratė Lekstutienė is a Lecturer of Medical Ethics and junior researcher at the Department of Medical Ethics and Bioethics, Vilnius University. She holds a Master of Law and Bioethics and focuses on bioethical issues in clinical research, biobanking ethics, and regulatory frameworks. Her work bridges legal, ethical, and scientific dimensions of biomedical research. Expertise: Medical ethics, clinical trials regulation, biobanking consent policies, and health law. Contributions: Published in European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology , Journal of Medical Ethics , and Springer's International Library of Ethics. Her research analyzes ethical challenges in EU clinical trial regulations, governance of residual biological materials, and consent documentation practices in biobanks. She collaborates with international teams on projects addressing emerging technologies' ethical implications. Teaching responsibilities include medical ethics courses for healthcare programs. Publications highlight critical analysis of consent processes, regulatory challenges in biobanking, and interdisciplinary approaches to biomedical ethics.
Dr. Ciara Padden is a Senior Lecturer in Learning Disability and Director of Studies for the MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis and MSc in Positive Behaviour Support at the University of Kent's Tizard Centre (School of Social Sciences). She holds a BCBA-D certification and is a Higher Education Academy Fellow. Her research focuses on evidence-based behavioral interventions for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, caregiver support, and organizational behavior change contexts. Education: BA Psychology (University College Dublin), PhD Applied Behaviour Analysis (National University of Ireland, Galway). Professional qualifications include a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. Research Interests: Skills teaching methodologies, adolescent/adult disability support systems, precision teaching frameworks, and procedural fidelity in behavioral interventions. Her work emphasizes practical applications for improving quality of life through structured behavioral programs and staff training. Publications span 20+ peer-reviewed articles on topics like caregiver stress biomarkers, intervention fidelity, and mathematical skill acquisition for neurodivergent learners. She has contributed to systematic reviews evaluating vocational skills interventions and repetitive behavior treatments in autism. Professional Roles: Consultancy Manager at the Tizard Centre, external examiner for University of South Wales psychology programs, UK-Society for Behavior Analysis board member, and trustee for Positive Behaviour Support for Learning. Active in credentialing initiatives and international research networks like SF-DDARIN. Supervision: Advises PhD/MSc students researching behavioral approaches for disabilities. Consultancy focuses on staff training and behavioral support implementation in clinical settings. Labs/Teams: Central role in Tizard Centre's disability-focused research teams, contributing to both academic output and applied consultancy projects across the UK.
Bronwyn Cross-Denny is an Associate Professor of Health Science at Sacred Heart University, serving as Chair of the Department since 2010. She holds a PhD in Social Work from Fordham University and is a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut. Her expertise spans diversity, social justice, global health, and social determinants of health. Dr. Cross-Denny founded the Master of Social Work program at Sacred Heart, emphasizing integrated practice in its curriculum. She has led interdisciplinary collaborations domestically and internationally. Education: PhD in Social Work, Fordham University (2007–2012) MSW (Clinical and Research), Fordham University (1992–1996) Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Western Michigan University (1982–1986) Research focuses on global health engagement, environmental justice, and antiracist education. Recent projects include the Virtual Global Immersion Project and HRSA grants addressing emergency preparedness and mental health integration. Her work emphasizes cultural competence and policy advocacy. Awards include the 2024 URCG Award, Faculty Fellow of Global Health (2020–2023), and the Sage/CSWE Innovative Teaching Award (2015). She leads grants totaling over $3 million and serves on national committees like the Council on Social Work Education's Board and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health's Education Sub-Committee. Labs/Teams: Co-Director of the Virtual Global Immersion Project and the HRSA-funded IMPACTS initiative. Her teaching includes courses on Global Health, Human Diversity, and Research Methods.
Elizabeth Rhoades is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the School Psychology Graduate Program at Southern Connecticut State University's Department of Mental Health Sciences. Her work focuses on LGBTQ+ youth safety in religious institutions, adolescent substance abuse prevention, multicultural education, and school violence intervention. She has led grants addressing violence prevention and curriculum modernization. Her research spans over three decades, with notable contributions in school psychology, including publications on LGBTQ+ inclusion strategies, substance abuse prevention frameworks, and culturally responsive teaching methods. She has presented nationally on topics like online education effectiveness and racial equity in classrooms. Grants: $5,000 for violence prevention partnerships (2018), $5,000 for revamping college success courses (2021) Key Projects: Developed hybrid training models for school psychologists, led curriculum reforms emphasizing social justice Dr. Rhoades has authored/co-authored books on addiction, school violence, and multicultural education. Her work bridges policy and practice, informing both academic and community-based initiatives.
Dr. Christie Petrenko is a Research Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at the University of Rochester. Her work focuses on preventing secondary conditions in individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), particularly through interventions like Families on Track. She investigates prenatal alcohol exposure’s long-term effects on cognition, behavior, and mental health, alongside co-occurring adversities such as maltreatment and out-of-home care. Dr. Petrenko’s research integrates developmental psychopathology frameworks to address risk factors and protective mechanisms. She has conducted pivotal studies on neuropsychological functioning in FASD, emotion regulation interventions, and caregiver support strategies. Key projects include a randomized controlled trial of Families on Track, which targets adaptive developmental pathways for children aged 4-8 with FASD. Her work emphasizes translational research to bridge clinical practice and policy. Notable contributions include telemedicine programs (e.g., ECHO FASD) to improve diagnosis capacity and mobile health tools like the My Health Coach app. She also advocates for equity in FASD care through critical race theory and disability studies perspectives. Dr. Petrenko collaborates with educators, healthcare providers, and policymakers to enhance FASD recognition and support systems. Her research spans neuroimaging analyses, qualitative caregiver studies, and longitudinal follow-ups to characterize FASD trajectories and intervention efficacy.
Kofi M. Odame is an Associate Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth College, leading the Electrical & Computer Engineering program area. His research focuses on ultra-low-power analog integrated circuits for biomedical devices and sensor systems. He holds a BSc, MSc from Cornell University (2002-2004) and a PhD from Georgia Institute of Technology (2008). Education: BSc, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, 2002 MSc, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, 2004 PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008 Research interests include analog IC design for biomedical applications, low-power sensor interfaces, and nonlinear signal processing. His work develops circuits for implantable/wearable devices and next-gen image sensors. Recent projects involve asthma monitoring, cardiac output tracking, and pulmonary imaging. Notable awards include the Jeff Crowe '78 Grand Prize (2019) and Analog Devices Career Development Professorship (2008–2012). He serves on NIH study sections for clinical informatics and holds IEEE Senior Member status. Advising and grants: Leads the Analog Lab, advises on NIH-funded projects, and collaborates with industry via TandemLaunch venture advisement. Courses taught include analog circuit design and biomedical systems. Labs/Teams: Directs the Analog Lab focusing on low-power biomedical circuits and sensor systems.
Mimi Choy-Brown is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her work centers on implementation science, mental health services research, clinical supervision, and organizational strategies to reduce health disparities. She is actively involved in multiple NIH- and SAMHSA-funded research projects addressing HIV stigma, telehealth access for marginalized populations, and workforce retention in mental health care. University: University of Minnesota School: School of Social Work Department: Social Work Rank: Associate Professor Her research interests focus on improving mental health equity through systemic interventions. Key areas include implementation science , person-centered care , clinical supervision , organizational culture , and healthcare access for vulnerable populations such as refugees, immigrants, and people who inject drugs. She applies mixed methods and implementation frameworks to evaluate and enhance service delivery models. The most recent articles (2019–2025) reflect a strong trajectory in implementation science and mental health policy. Common themes include workforce retention, fidelity monitoring, trauma-informed care, and digital health tools like clinical decision support systems. Her work often involves collaborative, interdisciplinary teams and real-world settings such as primary care clinics, syringe service programs, and child welfare agencies. Scientific contributions include: Development of multilevel frameworks for implementation trials Strategies for reducing HIV stigma using standardized patients Integration of telehealth in harm reduction settings Organizational investments to promote mental health equality She has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on multiple federally funded grants, demonstrating leadership in securing external funding. These projects emphasize community engagement, resilience-building for refugee and immigrant youth, and scalable models for mental health service delivery. Although student advisees are not listed, her supervisory focus in research suggests mentorship in clinical and organizational research methods. She leads the LIFT Project for Northwest MHTTC and contributes to national initiatives aimed at improving mental health systems. Dr. Choy-Brown is actively engaged in research teams and collaborative networks focused on implementation science, mental health equity, and public health innovation. Her work spans academic, clinical, and community-based settings, emphasizing practical solutions to systemic challenges in mental health care.
Andrea L. Cheville, M.D., MSCE is a Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She holds primary appointment as Consultant in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and joint appointment as Consultant in the Section of Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Cheville serves as Medical Director of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Program in the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery since 2014 and was Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from 2020-2021. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine since 2016. Dr. Cheville's research focuses on innovative approaches to cancer rehabilitation and pain management. Her key areas include: Digitally enabled cancer pain management through the ASCENT clinical trial Enhanced cancer symptom control using electronic patient-reported outcomes Non-pharmacological pain management via the NOHARM trial Home discharge planning for Alzheimer's patients through Project HoPe Smartphone-based technology for wheelchair users to monitor seating pressure Her work emphasizes culturally informed, patient-centered care with a focus on underserved populations. Dr. Cheville's research has led to significant advancements in integrating technology into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes, particularly in pain management and cancer rehabilitation. Her publications span clinical trials, health informatics, rehabilitation medicine, and patient-centered outcomes research, with notable emphasis on health equity and underserved communities. Member, National Academy of Medicine (2016-present) Distinguished Academician Award, Association of Academic Physiatrists (2021) Exceptional Women in Medicine, Castle Connolly (2021) Distinguished Member Award, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2020) Merit award, National Health Information Awards (2017) As an educator and mentor, Dr. Cheville has contributed to the training of numerous medical professionals in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Her leadership extends to various national committees and organizations where she helps shape the future of rehabilitation medicine and pain management. She has secured multiple NIH grants including the ASCENT trial, Project HoPe, and the NOHARM pragmatic clinical trial.
Dr. Siun Gallagher is a Research Fellow at the Sydney School of Public Health , affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Her work bridges biomedical ethics, health policy, and qualitative research methodologies. Education : Bachelor of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin Master of Public Health, University of Sydney PhD in Medicine, University of Sydney Research Interests focus on: ethical challenges in clinical practice, professionalism in commercialized medicine, health technology assessment, and equity in healthcare resource allocation. She explores how systemic complexity affects medical decision-making, particularly in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and genomic screening. Recent Publications examine commercial influences in ART, ethical frameworks for ‘add-ons’ in reproductive care, testimonial injustice in patient-clinician interactions, and macroallocation dynamics in health systems. Her work emphasizes qualitative insights into professional values and policy conflicts. Current Projects include the gEnomics4newborns initiative, which integrates ethics and equity into genomic newborn screening. She also critiques informed financial consent and analyzes patient-led demand in ART. Teaching involves the Master of Bioethics program, where she imparts expertise in ethical reasoning and health policy.
Maria John serves as Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Program within the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She joined UMass Boston in 2017 after completing an Indigenous Studies Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship at Wesleyan University. Her academic credentials include a PhD and MA/MPhil in History from Columbia University, and an MA and BA (History/Politics) from Monash University in Australia. Professor John specializes in comparative settler colonial histories with emphasis on 20th-century urban Indigenous communities in the U.S. and Australia. Her work critically examines health activism as a framework for Indigenous sovereignty, analyzing community-controlled health clinics as sites resisting colonial non-recognition. Key themes include bodily health as political expression, self-determination beyond territorial claims, and decolonizing historical methodologies. Her publications consistently explore intersections of Indigenous sovereignty, health activism, and urbanization across both nations, particularly between 1950-2000. Recurring analytical frameworks include settler colonial policy impacts, community resistance strategies, and the role of health infrastructure in sovereignty realization. Her scientific awards include: Indigenous Studies Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship Professor John has secured major research funding from the Mellon Foundation, American Philosophical Society Philips Fund for Native American Research, Teagle Foundation for Liberal Arts Education, National Library of Australia, and New York City Anti-Discrimination Center. She actively develops K-12 curriculum through the NYC Stands with Standing Rock Collective and South El Monte Arts Posse's East of East project. She collaborates with the NYC Stands with Standing Rock Collective for digital activism and the East of East project team to integrate ethnic studies into Southern California schools, focusing on Indigenous historical perspectives in public education.
Marisa Gilles serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Health and Clinical Sciences at The University of Western Australia, with research focused on public health disparities affecting vulnerable populations. Her work addresses critical gaps in Indigenous health, rheumatic heart disease management, and prison healthcare systems through interdisciplinary collaboration. Her primary research domains include rheumatic heart disease epidemiology, Indigenous health equity (particularly Aboriginal communities), prison health services, and infectious disease outbreak response. Methodologically, she specializes in mixed-methods approaches and implementation science to evaluate health interventions in real-world settings, with strong emphasis on community engagement and culturally safe practices. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a cohesive trajectory targeting health inequities through three interconnected streams: 1) Rheumatic heart disease elimination programs in Australia and Timor-Leste, 2) Maternal and child health within correctional systems, and 3) Vaccine-preventable disease surveillance. Her work consistently bridges clinical practice, public health policy, and community-led solutions, with increasing focus on implementation research since 2023. Dr. Gilles currently leads or participates in multiple funded projects including Good paths for health hearts (Department of Health, Western Australia, 2023-2026) and Good paths for healthy hearts (Medical Research Future Fund, 2023-2026), both addressing rheumatic heart disease through penicillin delivery innovations. Her historical projects span diabetes surveillance in Midwest Australia (2006), Indigenous health research leadership development (2005-2009), and national stroke unit implementation (2003). She maintains active collaborations with Timor-Leste health systems and Australian Aboriginal community organizations.
Dr. Nicole Paraskeva is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) within the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences at the University of the West of England. She holds a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology from UWE (2016) and an MSc in Health Psychology from the University of Bath (2011). Her research specializes in body image dynamics across clinical and community settings, with a focus on vulnerable populations including adolescents, cancer survivors, and individuals considering cosmetic procedures. She leads a multinational project evaluating body acceptance interventions in partnership with the World Association for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and Unilever's Dove Self-Esteem Project. Methodologically, she employs: Randomized controlled trials Systematic reviews Qualitative analysis of patient experiences Shared decision-making tool development Her work integrates partnerships with NHS England, Breast Cancer Now, British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and Department of Health. She frequently presents on body image, psychosocial oncology, and cosmetic surgery ethics.
Robert Charles Wallon serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor in Biomedical and Translational Sciences and Director of Academic Support at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois. His work focuses on innovative educational approaches for medical students through technology-enhanced learning environments. Dr. Wallon's research interests include: Augmented Learning Environments Gesture-based Technology in Education Problem-Based Learning for Medical Students Virtual Reality Applications in Medical Education Spaced Repetition Learning Techniques USMLE Preparation and Student Wellness His scholarly work demonstrates a commitment to improving medical education through technological innovation and evidence-based teaching practices. Wallon's research examines how different learning modalities impact medical student comprehension and retention, with particular attention to gesture-based interactions and virtual reality environments. Recent publications highlight his focus on evaluating educational software tools, implementing effective study techniques, designing holistic support systems for high-stakes exams, and developing innovative learning environments. His work bridges educational theory with practical applications in medical training. Wallon collaborates extensively with colleagues at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, including Roberto Galvez and Rachel Lindgren, demonstrating interdisciplinary work across medical education, educational psychology, and clinical training domains.
Dr Sara Liu is a Research Fellow at Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) with a doctorate in clinical psychology and professional registration as a psychologist. Her research combines mental health expertise with road safety analysis, focusing on psychological outcomes post-injury trauma within compensable injury systems and road safety factors related to substance use. Research Interests: Mental health outcomes after injury trauma Impact of compensable injury settings on psychological recovery Road safety domains including drink/ drug-driving Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community mental health Vehicle safety system prioritization using crash data Recent Projects: Proactive Common Law program evaluation at TAC Road safety hazards for blind/low vision Australians Safety performance analysis of Transurban road assets EDR implementation in Australian vehicles Scientific Engagement: Contributed to Transurban road safety consultations Key participant in acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) policy discussions Presented at VicRoads Older Road User Stakeholder Reference Group
Martha E. Stark is a Clinical Professor of Public Service and Director of the Management Specialization at NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, where she joined in Fall 2017. A tax policy expert with extensive government and nonprofit leadership experience, she specializes in public finance, city management, and strategic governance. Education: Juris Doctor, New York University Bachelor's degree in Political Science, New York University Research Interests: Stark focuses on constitutional challenges to property tax systems, municipal finance reform, and leadership development for public service organizations. Her work examines discriminatory inequities in urban tax structures and develops alternatives to broken systems, combining legal expertise with practical policy implementation through litigation and coalition building. Scientific Awards: White House Fellow at the United States Department of State during President Bill Clinton’s Administration Professional Contributions: As former NYC Department of Finance Commissioner, Stark administered a $80 million tax amnesty program, implemented cost-saving delivery parking systems, and improved property record transparency. She currently serves as policy director for a coalition suing New York over unconstitutional property taxes, runs a law firm challenging tax assessments, and advises nonprofits including Park Avenue Synagogue and Lambda Legal. Stark also serves on The Black Institute board and as NYU Law School Foundation life trustee.
