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Jatin P. AmbegaonkarView profile

Professor

• Performing Artists and Dancers
• Biosensors
• Athletics and Sport
• +7 more

Dr. Jatin P. Ambegaonkar is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, where he serves as Associate Dean for Research. He holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Occupational Therapist. His translational research bridges laboratory science and community engagement to enhance performance, reduce injury risk, and improve health outcomes across populations. Research Focus: Dr. Ambegaonkar's work centers on interdisciplinary approaches to human movement, with emphasis on: Performing artists' health and injury epidemiology Biosensor applications in sports and dance Neuromechanical assessment and concussion management Falls prevention and quality of life in older adults Community-based health interventions for underserved populations His research vision— "Arts and Health for the Physically Active, Physical Activity for Health and Artists" —drives initiatives like the SMART Laboratory (co-founded in 2006) and the SHARe Consortium. Publications: His 80+ articles demonstrate consistent focus on injury mechanisms, dance science, and aging research, with recent emphasis on kinesiophobia (2024), multifactorial fall interventions (2024), and longitudinal dancer fitness (2023). Methodologies span systematic reviews, RCTs, biomechanical analyses, and community trials. Leadership & Grants: As founding co-director of the SMART Laboratory, he leads projects including: ACHIEVES: Free athletic healthcare for underserved students POISED: Falls prevention in older adults SHARe Consortium: Multidisciplinary injury prevention for artists He has secured $6.4M across 30 grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Potomac Health Foundation, and others. Editorial Roles: Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dance Medicine & Science ; Editorial Board member for the Journal of Athletic Training ; reviewer for 25+ scientific journals.

Ester CerinView profile

Professor

• Environmental Determinants of Health
• Psychosocial Determinants of Health
• Physical Activity
• +12 more

Professor Ester Cerin is a leading academic at the Mary Mackillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University (ACU), where she leads the Behaviour, Environment and Cognition Research Program. She holds an adjunct professorship in Statistics at the Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at both the Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute and the School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong. Her international career includes academic roles in Australia, the USA, and Hong Kong. Her research centers on the environmental and psychosocial determinants of lifestyle behaviors and health, with a focus on physical activity, cognitive health, and sustainable environments. She employs advanced statistical methods to study how urban design and neighborhood characteristics influence health across the lifespan. Her work bridges public health, urban planning, and behavioral science. The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on built environment impacts on physical activity and cognitive health across age groups and continents. Her studies frequently employ multi-country designs (e.g., IPEN, iMAP) and advanced methodologies including meta-analyses, cohort studies, and objective environmental assessments. Key themes include walkability, urban densification, aging, and mental health. Top 1% of scholars, University of Hong Kong, 2015 Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher, 2019 Professor Cerin has secured over $24 million in research funding from prestigious bodies including NHMRC, ARC, NIH, and World Cancer Research Fund. She has led 12 major grants as Lead Investigator and serves as Principal Investigator for the iMAP and EPOCH studies. She supervises HDR students and mentors early-career researchers. Her leadership extends to editorial roles as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity and Associate Editor of Health & Place . She co-founded the International Cognitive Health and the Environment Network (ICHEN) to promote research and advocacy for environments that support cognitive health. Her work is embedded in large international collaborations, including multi-country cohort studies and systematic reviews under the IPEN and CEPA working groups.

• Health services research
• Implementation science
• Patient-reported outcomes
• +6 more

Rachel Hess, MD, MS is Professor of Population Health Sciences and Internal Medicine and Associate Vice President for Research-Health Sciences at the University of Utah Schools of the Health Sciences. She co-directs the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute and was founding Chief of the Division of Health System Innovation and Research (2014-2022). A board-certified General Internist and internationally recognized health-services researcher, she focuses on translating evidence into practice through health-information technology and patient-centered outcomes. Education & Training MD – University of New Mexico School of Medicine MS Clinical Research – University of Pittsburgh Fellowship – General Internal Medicine & Women’s Health, University of Pittsburgh / VA Pittsburgh Medical Center Chief Residency – Internal Medicine, Western Pennsylvania Hospital Residency – Internal Medicine, Temple University Hospital BA Mathematics – Washington University in St. Louis Research Focus Dr Hess’s program is dedicated to improving patient-centered outcomes by leveraging implementation science, health-information technology, and patient-reported measures. Her work spans: Design and nationwide deployment of EHR-integrated clinical decision support for cancer genetics, lung-cancer screening, heart-failure management, and antibiotic stewardship. Large multi-site pragmatic trials (ADAPTABLE, RECOVER, BRIDGE, MAINTAIN) examining effectiveness, equity, and scalability of digital-health interventions. Women’s health across the lifespan, including studies on menopause, sexual function, and post-COVID sequelae. Advanced analytics linking patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with healthcare utilization and cost. Scientific Awards & Recognition Board Certification, American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine) Leadership of NIH RECOVER Consortium adult cohort—one of the largest studies of Long COVID worldwide Principal investigator on >$50 million in federal and foundation funding (PCORI, NHLBI, NCI, AHRQ, CDC) Leadership & Service As Associate Vice President for Research she sets strategic priorities for the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Health. She co-chairs the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute, oversees campus-wide clinical-trials infrastructure, and mentors interdisciplinary teams spanning informatics, behavioral science, epidemiology, and clinical medicine. Laboratories & Teams Dr Hess leads the Health System Innovation and Research (HSIR) group—an interdisciplinary unit of data scientists, implementation researchers, clinicians, and patient partners—dedicated to rapid-cycle testing and national scale-up of digital-health solutions.

Michaela SambanisView profile

Professor

• English Language Teaching
• Positive Foreign Language Didactics
• Neurodidactics
• +6 more

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michaela Sambanis is a Professor of English Didactics at the Institute of English Philology within the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Freie Universität Berlin. She has held this position since 2011 and previously served as the managing director of the Institute from Winter semester 2017/2018 to October 2019. Her academic journey includes research work at the Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning at the University of Ulm (2008-2011), completion of her habilitation in 2006, and her promotion in 2001. Professor Sambanis's research centers on the innovative intersection of educational neuroscience and language teaching methodology. Her work pioneers the field of Positive Foreign Language Didactics, connecting positive psychology with language education. She investigates embodied cognition approaches, particularly movement-based learning, and explores theater methods and arts integration in language instruction. Her research also addresses teacher well-being and health, multilingualism in educational settings, and the application of neuroscience findings to practical classroom situations. The k2teach project represents her current focus on teaching-learning labs in English teacher education. Her scholarly output demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward integrating neuroscience with language pedagogy, with recent publications increasingly addressing mental health, digital transformation in education, and positive psychology applications. The evolution of her work shows a progression from practical teaching methods to increasingly sophisticated neurodidactic frameworks that bridge scientific evidence with classroom practice. Professor Sambanis serves on multiple scientific advisory boards including the Goethe Institut in Munich, the Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning at the University of Ulm, and the Schlözer Program for Teacher Education. She is also the founding chair of the cross-state E&M Berlin-Brandenburg section and a member of the German Society for Foreign Language Research (DGFF). Her editorial work includes the SELT book series on English Language Teaching. Her teaching responsibilities include supervising master's theses in English teaching, and she has developed numerous teaching-learning laboratories that connect theoretical knowledge with practical application in teacher education. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence-based foreign language didactics that incorporates insights from neuroscience, psychology, and educational research.

Sara SchmittView profile

Associate Professor

• Early Childhood Development
• Child Self-Regulation
• Social-Emotional Competence
• +6 more

Dr. Sara Schmitt is the Bricker-Squires Faculty Chair in Early Intervention and an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences at the University of Oregon's College of Education. She holds affiliations with the Prevention Science Institute and the Prevention Sciences Graduate Program. Her research focuses on early childhood self-regulation, social-emotional development, and school readiness, particularly for underserved populations. Dr. Schmitt designs evidence-based interventions, such as the Early Learning Matters curriculum implemented in military child development centers. She has received accolades including the 2021 Society for the Study of Human Development Early Career Award and the 2021 Purdue University Trailblazer Award. Education: Ph.D., 2013, Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University M.A., 2009, Developmental Psychology, San Diego State University B.A., 2003, Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Interests: Dr. Schmitt investigates contextual and individual predictors of self-regulation, designs interventions to strengthen skills in disadvantaged children, and examines factors impacting school readiness. Her work emphasizes low-cost, scalable strategies and policy implications for educational equity. Publications: Her recent work includes studies on preschool program efficacy, block play’s impact on math skills, and the role of classroom quality in social-emotional development. These contributions underscore her focus on translational research bridging theory and practice. Awards & Grants: Funded by federal agencies and foundations, her research addresses socioeconomic disparities in early learning. She leads training initiatives for educators and has authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles. Labs/Teams: Active in the Prevention Science Institute and the Ballmer Institute Leadership Council, she collaborates on multidisciplinary teams advancing early childhood policy and practice.

• Sikh Studies
• Punjab Studies
• Caste and Gender Issues
• +16 more

Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Education, Health, and Wellbeing . As Director of the Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies , she specializes in Sikh and Punjabi identity, caste/gender dynamics, and religious studies. Her work includes caste issues, Ravidassia communities, and UK Sikh policy frameworks. Education: PhD in Sikh Studies (University of Wales) MA in Indian Religions (University of Wales) PGCE in Secondary Religious Education (Sheffield Hallam University) Languages: Punjabi (fluent), Hindi, Urdu Research Focus: Takhar's work spans caste systems in Sikh contexts, gender dynamics, religious philosophy, and multicultural policy. She examines Ravidassia identity shifts and Punjabi Dalit experiences, while contributing to debates on UK caste legislation and Sikh political activism. Her recent projects include language politics in India and digital Sikhism. Publications Trends: Over 15+ years, her scholarship systematically explores caste-religion-gender intersections, faith-based health initiatives, and global Sikh identity. Key contributions include the foundational text Sikh Identity (2005) and collaborative works on caste lived experiences. Teaching & Supervision: Takhar teaches Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and supervises PhD projects on caste/gender issues. She integrates fieldwork into religious studies pedagogy. Grants & Projects: Currently leads NIHR-funded dementia support research for ethnic minorities. Previously managed health/sports engagement grants with NHS, Wolves Foundation, and Birmingham City Council.

Grace KimView profile

Associate Professor

• Neurorehabilitation
• Wearable Technology
• Stroke Recovery
• +3 more

Dr. Grace Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She holds a PhD in Occupational Therapy from NYU (2016), an MA in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University, and a BA in Psychology from UC Davis. She is a clinician-researcher affiliated with the Rehabilitation Medicine department at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, specializing in upper extremity robotics, outcome measurement, and stroke rehabilitation. Education: Bachelor's in Psychology: University of California, Davis Master's in Occupational Therapy: Columbia University PhD in Occupational Therapy: New York University (2016) Research Focus: Intersection of technology and neurorehabilitation Client-centered care for stroke survivors Wearable/mobile technology applications Shared decision-making approaches Awards/Grants: Mitchell Leaska Dissertation Grant (2014) Steinhardt Faculty Challenge Grant (2017) NYU Provost Mega-Seed Grant (2018) American Occupational Therapy Foundation Grant (2021) Dr. Kim teaches courses in Evidence-Based Practice, Neurorehabilitation, and Ethics at NYU Steinhardt. She mentors students in Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and the R25 Research Education in Cardiovascular Conditions program at NYU's Rory Meyers School of Nursing. Her work emphasizes affordable technology solutions to improve real-world outcomes for stroke patients, including remote self-training programs and home-based interventions.

• Meta-Research
• Obesity Disparities
• Systematic Reviews
• +6 more

Dr. Kathryn Kaiser is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Behavior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health. She holds concurrent appointments in multiple research centers including the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and the Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC). Her research focuses on meta-research methodologies, race/sex disparities in obesity, systematic reviews of nutrition interventions, and advancing FAIR data principles for scientific communication. Education: B.S. Microbiology (Texas A&M), B.S. Medical Technology (University of Texas Health Science Center), Ph.D. in Health Psychology (University of North Texas Health Science Center). Postdoctoral training in Vascular Biology/Hypertension at UAB. Extensive background in medical diagnostics instrumentation and laboratory science prior to academia. Research Interests: Systematic review methodologies, FAIR data standards, obesity disparities with a focus on neuroendocrine mechanisms, and translational research in bariatric surgery outcomes. Specializes in methodological rigor for clinical trials and evidence synthesis. Grants: NIH-funded projects on FAIR principles implementation, dairy intake research, obesity energetics, and lifespan studies. Recent grants include $2.1M for metadata education programs and $1.8M for knowledge mapping initiatives. Awards: Recognized as 2015 Top Reviewer for American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Nutrition. Active member of Cochrane Collaboration and multiple professional societies. Teaching: Graduate courses in Health Program Evaluation, Psychophysiology, and Systematic Review Design. Supervises doctoral students in health behavior research through 30+ dissertation committees since 2011. Labs/Teams: Key contributor to UAB's Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) and Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research (COERE). Collaborates with international metadata initiatives like Metadata 2020 and science dialogue mapping projects.

James HardyView profile

Professor

• Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Mental Skills Training
• Self-Talk
• +8 more

James Hardy is a Professor in Sport & Exercise Science at Bangor University's School of Psychology and Sport Science , with a career spanning elite sports psychology research and teaching. He holds a BSc (First Class) from the University of Birmingham, and MA/PhD from the University of Western Ontario under Prof. Craig Hall. Key roles: Senior Lecturer, Deputy Head of School, Associate Editor for Journal of Applied Sport Psychology , and editorial board member for multiple journals. Research focuses on self-talk/imagery and group dynamics (team cohesion, leadership), funded by ECB, UK Sport, and Manchester City FC. Recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, examining leadership effects, pressure training protocols, narcissism in teams, and injury risk factors via pattern recognition. Notable work includes Psychosocial Characteristics of Elite Rugby Players and Individualized Talent Development in beach sprint rowing. Scientific contributions include a Bangor University Teaching Fellowship and 30+ peer-reviewed articles . Grants like £80k from ECB and £56k from City Football Services underscore his applied impact.

Isabel GabbeView profile

Professor

• Piano Performance
• Music Education
• Chamber Music
• +5 more

Isabel Gabbe , University Professor of Piano & Piano Didactics at Mozarteum University Salzburg's Innsbruck Department since 2016, is a German-French pianist and music educator with extensive international experience. She heads the Music Education Department and contributes to artistic higher education through her work with the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) and the Austrian Society for Music and Medicine (ÖGFMM). Studied with Hans Leygraf and Rainer Becker Certified music physiologist Founder of "Moments Musicaux" festival in France Active in teacher training across Europe and South America Her research focuses on music education , physiological piano teaching methods , and musicians' health . Isabel integrates creative approaches to piano instruction for children, emphasizing cross-cultural communication through music. Her recent work explores alternative keyboard techniques and inclusive pedagogy. Professor Gabbe's publications analyze piano didactics, including " Alles ist erlaubt, nur nicht Alles spielen! " on practical repertoire use and " Musizieren lernen? Ein Kinderspiel! " on playful learning approaches. She contributes to Schott Verlag's "Üben&Musizieren" series and Waxmann Verlag's music education publications. Scientific recognitions include: German Music Council Artist List (2000) EPTA Austria Vice Chair (2018–present) Deutsche Tonkünstlerverband Deputy Chair (2015–2023) Richard Wagner Association Stipend (2002) Aspen Music Festival Stipend (1995,1996) Isabel Gabbe actively mentors educators through workshops and masterclasses across Europe and South America, focusing on sustainable teaching practices and physiological approaches to piano instruction. She has participated in numerous festivals and serves on academic committees for music education curricula.

Jennifer JakobiView profile

Professor

• Neuromuscular Physiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Healthy Aging
• +7 more

Jennifer Jakobi is a Professor at the School of Health and Exercise Sciences , Faculty of Health and Social Development, UBC Okanagan. She serves as Director of the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention and holds the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering . Her work bridges neuromuscular physiology and STEM diversity initiatives . Research Themes : Frailty, aging in place, sex-differential muscle function, and motor unit modulation. Labs : Leads the Healthy Exercise and Aging Lab (HEAL) and coordinates the iSTAND diversity program. Publications focus on aging biomechanics, cannabis impacts in elderly populations, social VR interventions, and pandemic-era health behaviors. Her NSERC-funded basic research examines cortical-spinal pathways, while UBCO grants support applied studies on vibration therapy and assistive technologies. Scientific Contributions : Identified sex-specific force steadiness mechanisms Developed prehabilitation frameworks for functional independence Advocated for gender-inclusive STEM education Outreach includes youth STEM camps, equity workshops, and community partnerships on aging-in-place policies. Current research explores VR-based social engagement and cannabis safety protocols for seniors.

Jack PeltzView profile

Assistant Professor

• Developmental Psychopathology
• Sleep Research
• Family Systems
• +2 more

Jack Peltz, PhD, serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, Philosophy, and Neuroscience Programs at the State University of New York at Brockport. His academic career focuses on the intersection of developmental psychopathology, sleep science, and family systems dynamics, with particular emphasis on adolescent and college-age populations. His educational background includes: PhD in Clinical Psychology (Concentration: Developmental Psychopathology; Certificate: Quantitative Methods), University of Rochester, 2013 MA in Clinical Psychology, University of Rochester, 2010 MA in Child Development (Concentration: Clinical and Developmental Psychology), Tufts University, 2007 BA in Japanese, Middlebury College, 1996 Dr. Peltz's research program centers on developmental psychopathology and sleep regulation , investigating bidirectional relationships between sleep disturbances and family functioning. As a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep health for children and families, he develops community-based interventions to promote sleep hygiene. His work uniquely bridges quantitative methodology with clinical applications, examining how economic stressors, social media influences, and developmental transitions impact sleep-wake patterns. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) sleep as a mediator between adverse childhood experiences and psychological outcomes, (2) technology-mediated sleep disruptions (including wearable devices and social media), and (3) developmental transitions (puberty, college entry) affecting sleep-family dynamics. His methodological approach combines longitudinal designs, ambulatory EEG, and mixed-methods analysis to capture real-time sleep-family interactions across diverse populations including youth with visual impairments.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Knowledge Management
• Secure Software Development
• +3 more

Shao-Fang Wen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Their work focuses on integrating artificial intelligence with cybersecurity, secure software development, and socio-technical systems. Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Secure Software Development Semantic Web and Ontology Socio-Technical Systems System Security Assurance Publications and Contributions: Shao-Fang Wen has contributed significantly to developing frameworks for AI security assurance, quantitative security evaluation models (e.g., SAEOn metamodel), and contextualized learning systems for software security. Their work spans journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters, emphasizing ontology-based approaches and open source community dynamics. Teaching: IIKG2001 - Software Security

Garry TewView profile

Professor

• Clinical Exercise Science
• Physical Activity Interventions
• Long-term Health Conditions
• +4 more

Professor Garry Tew serves as the founding Director of the Institute for Health and Care Improvement and holds the position of Professor of Clinical Exercise Science at York St John University's School of Science, Technology and Health. As a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist, he leads interdisciplinary research initiatives focused on improving community health through evidence-based practices. He also serves as the Academic Lead of Scarborough Coastal Health and Care Research Collaborative (SHARC), a partnership with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Tew's research program centers on the role of physical activity and exercise in preventing, managing, and treating long-term health conditions. He is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on exercise interventions for intermittent claudication and exercise-based prehabilitation to enhance surgical readiness. His research spans mental health contexts, inflammatory bowel disease, peripheral artery disease, and multimorbidity in older adults, with a particular focus on developing accessible interventions for diverse patient populations. His extensive publication record demonstrates significant contributions across multiple health domains, with recent work emphasizing co-produced physical activity programs for severe mental illness, chair-based yoga for older adults with multiple conditions, and digital health coaching for surgical preparation. These publications reflect a consistent trajectory toward developing practical, evidence-based exercise interventions that can be implemented in real-world healthcare settings. Professor Tew actively contributes to the research community as a member of the East Midlands Nottingham One Research Ethics Committee and serves on the Selection Committee for the NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Programme. He regularly reviews grant applications for major funding bodies including the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Medical Research Council, and British Heart Foundation. His teaching expertise encompasses research methods and exercise physiology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He also conducts specialized workshops for staff and postgraduate research students on research-related topics, demonstrating his commitment to developing the next generation of researchers in health and care disciplines.

Travis DorschView profile

Associate Professor

• Youth Sport Psychology
• Family Influence in Sport
• Parental Socialization in Sport
• +2 more

Dr. Travis Dorsch serves as Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Utah State University's Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, where he founded and directs the Families in Sport Lab. His academic career bridges human development theory with practical applications in youth sport contexts, examining how family systems and social environments shape athletic experiences. His educational foundation includes a PhD in Kinesiology (Psychology of Sport and Exercise) from Purdue University (2013), preceded by an MS (2007) and BA in Psychology (2003). This interdisciplinary training informs his unique perspective on sport socialization processes. Dr. Dorsch's research program centers on the interplay between family dynamics and youth sport participation , employing mixed-methods approaches to investigate: Parental socialization mechanisms in athletic contexts Sibling influences on sport engagement Socioeconomic barriers to sport access Emotional abuse dynamics in competitive environments Systemic optimization of youth sport structures His work demonstrates how contextual factors from household to national policy levels affect athlete development. Analysis of his 50+ publications reveals three dominant research trajectories : pandemic-era sport disruptions (2020-2023), emotional abuse frameworks in collegiate athletics (2021-2024), and family systems theory applications in youth sport (2013-present). These intersect at the critical nexus of developmental appropriateness in sport programming. His distinguished recognition includes: Multiple Graduate Mentor of the Year awards (2021, 2022) Early Career Distinguished Scholar honor (2020) Research Fellow designation (2021) Consistent departmental and college teaching awards Dr. Dorsch has secured funding from major organizations including the NCAA, Aspen Institute, and TeamSnap to support his Families in Sport Lab. His mentorship extends to 11 graduate students, with research translating into practical tools for coaches, parents, and sport administrators featured in major media outlets like The New York Times and TIME Magazine .