Dr. Ellen Potoczky is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, specializing in cellular and molecular mechanisms of epithelial biology. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Adelaide Bachelor (Honours) of Biomedical Science from the University of South Australia Doctoral (Research) in Developmental Biology from the University of South Australia Her research focuses on Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Epithelial Biology, investigating how adherens junctions mediate mechanical force sensing through EGFR-ERK signaling pathways. This work has significant implications for understanding tissue integrity in development and disease contexts like cancer metastasis. Her recent publication in Science Signaling demonstrates how epithelial cells co-opt growth factor signaling for mechanotransduction, revealing novel crosstalk between adhesion complexes and signal transduction networks. Dr. Potoczky is actively involved in academic mentoring as an associate advisor for PhD research on epithelial surveillance against cell aberration, contributing to UQ's research training programs.
Dr. James Donald is a Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies at the Sydney Business School , University of Sydney. He combines teaching and research, focusing on mindfulness, positive psychology, and technology's impact on workplace well-being. His work bridges academic research with practical applications for leadership development. Research Interests : Workplace mindfulness, emotional regulation, compulsive internet use, leadership psychology, and organizational well-being. Key Topics : 2024 articles examine adolescents' digital addiction, gender equality implications, and leadership in hyper-connected environments. Scientific Contributions : His research has appeared in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , Emotion , and Current Directions in Psychological Science . He explores how compulsive internet use affects emotional skills and leadership quality. Media Engagement : Regularly featured in ABC Radio National, Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, discussing stress leave, micromanagement, hybrid work challenges, and teen internet addiction.
Léonce Ndikumana serves as Distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with concurrent leadership of the African Development Policy program at the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI). His international academic presence extends through honorary professorships at South Africa's University of Stellenbosch (2011-present) and University of Cape Town (2017-present), complementing prior policy roles including Director of Research at the African Development Bank and Chief of Macroeconomic Analysis at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Economics, Washington University, 1996 M.A. in Economics, Washington University, 1992 B.A. in Economics (with Distinction), University of Burundi, 1986 Ndikumana's research establishes him as a leading authority on African economic development, particularly regarding capital flight measurement and its developmental consequences. His scholarship systematically examines how external debt, financial flows, and macroeconomic policy frameworks interact with Africa's growth trajectories, often revealing how global financial structures systematically disadvantage the continent. A significant portion of his work analyzes the political economy of conflict and post-conflict reconstruction, emphasizing institutional rebuilding as foundational to sustainable development. His recent publications demonstrate methodological rigor in assessing development interventions, with consistent emphasis on empirical evidence from micro-level data. Key thematic threads include the effectiveness of foreign aid across health, water, and sanitation sectors; the relationship between natural resource endowments and capital flight; and monetary policy transmission mechanisms in African financial markets. This body of work consistently bridges academic research and actionable policy recommendations. His scholarly contributions have been recognized through: Andrew Carnegie Fellowship (2021) Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award (2017) UMass dual honors for research excellence and teaching (2013) Dudley Seers Memorial Prize for seminal work in development economics Ndikumana's advisory work spans international policy bodies including the UN Committee on Development Policy (2013-2018) and the Independent Commission on International Corporate Taxation, while his research funding includes a Fulbright Scholarship supporting collaborative work at the University of Cape Town. His grant portfolio consistently targets policy-relevant questions about financial governance and development finance in Africa. As Director of PERI's African Development Policy program, he oversees a research ecosystem connecting Amherst with African institutions and policymakers. His leadership extends to the African Finance and Economics Association (serving as President 2005-2007) and Village Health Works in Burundi, where he serves on the Board of Directors to integrate economic development with community health initiatives.
John K. Donahue is a Professor of Psychology at Columbus College of Art & Design, specializing in abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology. His research focuses on storytelling as a form of communication and its evolutionary implications, particularly in romantic relationships and social status perception. Research Interests Dr. Donahue's work explores narrative persuasion, gender differences in storytelling effectiveness, and the role of storytelling in mate selection. He investigates how storytelling ability influences social status and long-term relationship attractiveness, drawing from evolutionary psychology frameworks. Publications His notable 2016 study on storytelling and romantic attraction examines how narrative skill impacts mate selection, with findings suggesting men's storytelling ability enhances their perceived long-term desirability through social status signaling.
Maria Akhmanova is an Assistant Member in the Cell Biology Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), with affiliations to the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding how cells invade and migrate through tissues in vivo, integrating live imaging, biomechanical techniques, and computational modeling. Key areas include macrophage infiltration dynamics, tissue resistance mechanisms, and the role of cortactin and actin cytoskeleton regulation. Dr. Akhmanova holds a PhD from Lomonosov Moscow State University and has been recognized with the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) Lise Meitner fellowship (2018-2019). Her lab includes researchers such as Emily Pratt (GSK Graduate Student), Jonah Rosas (Research Scholar), and Xiaoqun Zhang (Senior Research Scientist), with lab alumni including Jayant Asthana. Her work spans disciplines like immunology, biomechanics, and computational biology. Recent studies highlight topics such as mitochondrial bioenergetics in macrophage invasion and Fos signaling in cortical actin regulation. Collaborative projects include work on auxin signaling in plant roots and collagen-based biomaterials for tissue regeneration. Key awards: Lise Meitner Fellowship (2018-2019) Lab members: Emily Pratt (PhD student), Jonah Rosas, Xiaoqun Zhang Collaborations: The lab employs interdisciplinary approaches blending experimental and theoretical frameworks. Her publications emphasize mechanistic insights into tissue-level cell migration, with implications for cancer immunology and regenerative medicine.
Benjamin Vilhauer is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy at both City College of New York (CUNY) and the CUNY Graduate Center. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago in 2002, with a dissertation on Kant's theory of free will. His academic work bridges Kantian philosophy and contemporary debates in ethics, particularly concerning free will, moral responsibility, and criminal justice. Education: PhD, University of Chicago, 2002 Current Affiliations: City College of New York (CUNY), CUNY Graduate Center Academic Rank: Professor His research centers on free will skepticism and its implications for moral responsibility, punishment, and personhood. He explores how Kantian ethics can provide non-retributive justifications for punishment and remorse, even in the absence of libertarian free will. His work emphasizes rational sympathy, the role of personhood in grounding moral duties, and reinterpreting Kant’s views on punishment and friendship. His recent publications show a consistent trend in analyzing Kant’s moral psychology, the ethics of punishment, and the philosophical foundations of remorse. He frequently employs Rawlsian original position deliberation to justify criminal justice systems under free will skepticism, arguing for fairness and consent-based models over retributive ones. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Benjamin Vilhauer actively contributes to philosophical discourse through journal articles, book chapters, and academic commentary. He supervises no listed students in the provided text, but his influence is evident through citations and engagement with major figures in contemporary philosophy. His work is central to ongoing debates about moral responsibility and justice in a deterministic world. Labs and Research Groups: No specific labs or research teams are mentioned in the text.
Alba Rossi-George is a Lecturer in the Department of Social Science at the School of Arts & Sciences, City University of New York (CUNY). Her academic training includes a Ph.D. and M.S. in Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience from Rutgers University, followed by three postdoctoral fellowships in Psychiatry, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, and Pharmacology and Toxicology at institutions in New Jersey. Ph.D., Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University M.S., Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University Postdoctoral Fellowship, Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ Postdoctoral Fellowship, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, EOHSI, NJ Postdoctoral Fellowship, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers School of Pharmacy Her research centers on the neurobehavioral and neuroimmune impacts of environmental toxins such as lead and copper, particularly in animal models. She investigates how exposure to these toxicants influences neurodegenerative processes, stress responses, HPA axis regulation, and nitric oxide signaling in microglial cells. Her work bridges behavioral neuroscience with molecular toxicology, offering insights into the biological mechanisms linking environmental exposures to neurological dysfunction. The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on metal toxicity (especially lead and copper), neuroinflammation, and cellular signaling pathways. A dominant theme is the interaction between environmental stressors and toxicants, with multiple studies examining how prenatal or lifetime exposure to lead, combined with stress, alters neurochemical and behavioral outcomes. Several papers employ BV2 microglial cell models to explore redox and nitrosative signaling disruptions caused by copper. The research trajectory reflects a deep engagement with mechanistic neurotoxicology and the long-term health implications of early-life exposures. No scientific awards were mentioned in the available text. There is no information provided about student advising or research grants. However, her extensive collaborative work, particularly with researchers like DA Cory-Slechta and MB Virgolini, suggests active participation in team-based neuroscience and toxicology research. She teaches courses such as Introduction to Psychology and Health Psychology, contributing to undergraduate education in psychological and behavioral sciences. While no formal lab or research team is named, her publications indicate sustained involvement in a research group focused on environmental neurotoxicology and stress interactions, likely based at or affiliated with Rutgers and CUNY institutions.
Vernon Dolinsky is a Professor and Associate Department Head in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. He is also a Research Scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) and co-leads the pediatric diabetes research theme within the Diabetes Research Envisioned and Accomplished in Manitoba (DREAM) group. Education: Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Manitoba (1996) Master of Science, University of Manitoba (1998) PhD in Biochemistry, University of Alberta (2003) Postdoctoral Fellowships: University of Michigan and University of Alberta Dr. Dolinsky's research focuses on the developmental origins of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, particularly how gestational diabetes influences obesity, diabetes, and heart disease risk in offspring. His lab uses advanced techniques including animal models, in vivo imaging, genomics, and epigenomics to explore cellular mechanisms involving insulin signaling, mitochondrial function, and sirtuin regulation. His work is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and he actively mentors summer students, Master's, and PhD candidates. Though no specific publications are listed, his research spans diabetes, obesity, pregnancy complications, and molecular pharmacology, with strong implications for early-life interventions and therapeutic development. Scientific Awards: Manitoba Medical Services Foundation, Allen Rouse Career Development Award (2017–2020) Ken Hughes Young Investigator Award for Medical Research (2016) University of Manitoba Faculty Association Merit Award (2016) Diabetes Foundation of Manitoba, Dr. J.A. Moorhouse Fellowship Award (2014–2017) Stewart Whitman-Amgen Young Investigator Award (2014) Dr. Dolinsky is actively involved in advising graduate students and securing competitive research grants, including continuous funding from CIHR. His leadership extends to collaborative research networks like DREAM, where he contributes to advancing pediatric diabetes research in Manitoba. He is affiliated with key research entities including CHRIM and the Max Rady College of Medicine, working within interdisciplinary teams focused on metabolic health across the lifespan.
Bibiana Regueiro Fernandez is a Professor at the Department of Pedagogy and Didactics, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela. She is a member of the ESCULCA research group and collaborates with the Educational Psychology Research Group (GIPED) at the University of A Coruña. Doctorate from University of A Coruña (2018) Over 50 scientific publications, including JCR-indexed journals International research stays in Spain, USA, Germany, and Portugal Her research focuses on educational psychology, homework involvement, academic motivation, and student engagement. Key themes include: Parental involvement in mathematics learning Motivational profiles in primary/secondary education Homework time management and performance Dynamics in multicultural student populations Teacher self-efficacy and student outcomes Her work employs structural equation modeling, latent profile analysis, and multivariate methods. She has presented over 100 communications at international conferences.
Shahrdad Lotfipour, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, with joint appointments in the Departments of Emergency Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He leads the Translational Addiction Biology Laboratory, focusing on the neurobiological mechanisms of drug use, particularly nicotine's impact on the adolescent brain. His research centers on developmental neuropsychopharmacology, investigating how early exposure to nicotine alters brain chemistry and increases vulnerability to addiction. Key areas include dopaminergic, serotonergic, and opioidergic systems, as well as epigenetic modifications linked to drug reward and dependence. The lab explores how non-nicotine constituents in tobacco smoke may enhance addiction, challenging traditional models of nicotine reinforcement. The research output reflects a strong focus on addiction neuroscience, behavioral pharmacology, and translational models of substance use disorders, with implications for adolescent health and cessation therapies. Frances Leslie is a collaborator and co-lead of the research team. The lab actively trains post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates in interdisciplinary research. Dr. Lotfipour’s lab includes a dedicated team of researchers and students from diverse academic backgrounds, contributing to projects in molecular neurobiology, behavioral testing, and public science communication. The UCI Behavioral Neuroscience Testing Core supports experimental work, and the lab engages in outreach through TEDx talks, podcasts, and interactive infographics.
Dieuwer Ten Braak is an Associate Professor at the University of Stavanger, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Education and the Norwegian Centre for Learning Environment and Behavioral Research in Education. Her research focuses on early childhood development, executive function, self-regulation, and learning in preschool and early school contexts. Her research interests include early childhood education, executive function, self-regulation, early mathematics and literacy development, social-emotional learning, play-based learning, and inclusion. She investigates how cognitive and behavioral regulation relate to academic and social outcomes, using longitudinal and experimental designs. Her recent publications show a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research in developmental psychology and education, with a focus on assessment tools, intervention effectiveness, and equity in early learning. She frequently employs meta-analytic, longitudinal, and randomized controlled trial methodologies. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses on bilingualism and inclusion Randomized trials on playful learning curricula Development and validation of assessment tools (e.g., Ani Banani Math Test, LSCIP) Longitudinal studies from kindergarten to secondary school Dieuwer Ten Braak has supervised master's theses, including those by Margrete Hamre Gromstad and Lena Heen Hammersland. She is actively involved in funded research projects such as the Agder Project and SELMA, which examine structured early learning curricula and social-emotional interventions. She regularly presents at international conferences including EARLI, AERA, SRCD, and EAWOP. She is part of research teams focused on play-based learning, teacher-child relationships, and early assessment. She collaborates with prominent researchers such as Ingunn Størksen, Ragnhild Lenes, Megan McClelland, and Monica Melby-Lervåg.
Professor Stuart Rushworth is a faculty member at Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, where he serves as the scientific group leader for molecular haematology research. His work focuses on the tumour microenvironment in haematological malignancies, particularly Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Multiple Myeloma, and the impact of infection and ageing on haematopoietic stem cells. Education: Bachelor's Degree – University of Sunderland PhD in Immunology – University of Cambridge Post-doctoral Training – University of Cambridge and University of East Anglia His research explores metabolic reprogramming, mitochondrial transfer, and stromal interactions in cancer. He has made significant contributions to understanding how leukaemia cells exploit the bone marrow microenvironment for survival and proliferation. His studies have identified key mechanisms such as fatty acid release from adipocytes and intercellular mitochondrial transfer via tunnelling nanotubes. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, with implications for drug resistance and novel therapeutic strategies. The most recent articles highlight trends in immunometabolism, infection-induced haematopoietic stress responses, and metabolic crosstalk in cancer. Key themes include mitochondrial dynamics, metabolic adaptation, and innate immune signaling pathways like STING. His publications appear in high-impact journals such as Cell Reports , Nature Communications , and Blood . He is actively funded by major research bodies including the British Heart Foundation, The Big C Appeal, Academy of Medical Sciences, and BBSRC. While no formal scientific awards are listed in the provided text, his research has led to clinical trials involving BTK inhibitors in myeloma patients. Professor Rushworth mentors several PhD researchers, including Dominic Fowler-Shorten, E. E. Wojtowicz, A. Jibril, J. A. Moore, and J. Mistry. He leads the Rushworth Group, which is part of the Metabolic Health Research Centre at UEA, focusing on metabolic processes in the tumour microenvironment.
Rikard Blunck is an Accredited Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Montreal, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on ion channel biophysics, membrane protein dynamics, and structural biology. He employs advanced techniques like fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and single-molecule imaging to study voltage-gated potassium channels, mechanosensitive channels, and disease-related mutations in ion channels. Key research interests include the structural determinants of ion channel function, mechanisms of channel inactivation, and the impact of genetic variants on channel physiology. His work spans from fundamental biophysics to clinical implications in neurology and cardiology, particularly in channelopathies linked to epilepsy, migraine, and ataxia. Notable contributions include studies on the Shaker Kv channel, TACAN pain sensors, and structural analysis of Kv2.1/Kv6.4 heterotetramers. His methodologies include voltage-clamp fluorometry, single-subunit counting, and computational modeling to probe conformational changes during channel activation and inactivation. Blunck has published extensively, with recent work investigating cooperative C-type inactivation mechanisms, KCNG4 genetic variants in migraine, and stoichiometry determinations of ion channel complexes. His research bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, aiming to identify therapeutic targets for channel-linked disorders.
Jocelyn Côté is a Full Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa, holding a concurrent role as Assistant Dean, Research and Special Projects in the Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on the role of arginine methylation in RNA-binding proteins and its implications in neurodevelopmental disorders, neuromuscular diseases, and cancer. He leads studies on the molecular pathways underlying spinal muscular atrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and cancer progression, with particular emphasis on Tudor domain-containing proteins and PRMT enzymes. Education: B.Sc. Biochemistry (Université de Sherbrooke, 1992), Ph.D. Molecular Biology (Université de Sherbrooke, 1998), Postdoctoral Fellowships at Washington University and McGill. Research interests include: (1) arginine methylation regulation in RNA processing, (2) Tudor domain protein functions in disease, and (3) cancer-related epigenetic pathways. His work integrates cell biology, molecular genetics, and proteomics to identify novel therapeutic targets. Publications emphasize RNA biology and disease mechanisms, with recent work highlighting Staufen1's role in myotonic dystrophy and PRMT7's contribution to breast cancer metastasis. While no awards are explicitly listed, his research has implications for neuromuscular and oncological therapies. He collaborates with the Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and the uOttawa Brain & Mind Research Institute, advancing translational research in neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders.
Mojgan Khademi, PsyD, FABP, serves as Program Director and Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, specializing in Clinical Psychology. She holds a license in California (License #PSY15300) and is a Board-Certified psychoanalyst. University: Alliant International University School: California School of Professional Psychology Department: Clinical Psychology Academic Rank: Professor Education: PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Research Interests: Psychodynamic theory, psychotherapy outcomes, eating disorders, suicide, multicultural issues, and feminist approaches to mental health. Her work emphasizes emotional processing in therapeutic settings and trauma's intergenerational impact. Publications Trends: Focus on psychodynamic interventions, therapist emotional experiences, eating disorders, and trauma implications across individual, family, and community contexts. Scientific Awards: Edith Sabshin Teaching Award (2015) from the American Psychoanalytic Association Professional Roles: Founder and clinical director of the Center for Applied Psychology & Services (CAPS) at Alliant's San Diego campus, private practice in San Diego.
