Christina Gjestvang is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. She earned her PhD in 2022 from the same institution, researching fitness clubs as public health venues. With 23 peer-reviewed publications and over 50 invited presentations, she received the institution's research communication award in 2020. She maintains 17+ years of practical experience as a fitness instructor and chairs the Norwegian Association of Exercise Physiologists. Her research focuses on: Fitness club industry dynamics and member behaviors Exercise initiation/adherence mechanisms Women's health including pregnancy exercise Body image and mental health in fitness contexts Public health interventions through physical activity Publication analysis reveals consistent themes in exercise psychology, public health implementation, and fitness industry studies. Recent work emphasizes digital health interventions, pregnancy physiology, and disordered eating in fitness environments. Awards: Norwegian School of Sport Sciences Research Communication Award (2020) As chairman of the Norwegian Association of Exercise Physiologists, she promotes professional standards for exercise-based health interventions. Her extensive industry experience informs both research and teaching in exercise prescription methodologies.
Jonathan Little is a Professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan , affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Social Development and School of Health and Exercise Sciences . He leads the Exercise Metabolism and Inflammation Laboratory (EMIL) , focusing on the intersection of exercise physiology, nutrition, and metabolic disorders. Hons B. Kin – McMaster University, 2005 M.Sc. – University of Saskatchewan, 2007 Ph.D. – McMaster University, 2010 Postdoctoral Fellowship – UBC, 2010-2012 His research investigates how metabolic disruptions in type 2 diabetes affect cellular inflammation and how exercise/nutritional strategies can mitigate these effects. Key areas include high-intensity interval training (HIIT) , nutritional ketosis , and immunometabolic responses . EMIL combines human clinical trials with cellular/molecular experiments, utilizing advanced tools like flow cytometry and metabolic carts. His recent publications emphasize exercise snacks (short, frequent workouts), ketone supplements , and fasting protocols for managing diabetes and obesity. He has received prestigious awards like the Killam Accelerator Fellowship and CIHR New Investigator Award . Killam Accelerator Research Fellowship (2021-2023) Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Young Investigator Award (2020) UBC Killam Research Fellowship (2018) Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar (2018-2023) American College of Sports Medicine New Investigator Award (2016) CIHR New Investigator Salary Award (2015-2020) He supervises graduate students in HMKN 313 – Exercise Metabolism and mentors through the HMKN 499 Research Practicum . His lab (EMIL) collaborates with institutions like the BC Diabetes Research Network and serves as an Associate Editor for Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism .
Dr. Kathryn Lester is an Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. She leads internationally recognized research on childhood anxiety, focusing on intergenerational transmission, cognitive biases, and school mental health interventions. Her work includes developing evidence-based programs for emotionally-based school avoidance and evaluating whole-school approaches to mental health. She holds leadership roles in Sussex’s senior management team, including Subject Group Lead for Developmental Psychology and Deputy Director for Postgraduate Research. She co-leads the Sussex Foundation Partnership Trust School Mental Health Research Team Clinic and has secured funding from the National Institute for Health Research, ESRC, and The National Lottery Community Fund. Her academic journey includes a D.Phil. in Psychiatry from the University of Oxford (2008) and postdoctoral research at the University of Sussex and King’s College London. Key research interests include anxiety prevention, school-based interventions, and the impact of parenting behaviors on child mental health. She has collaborated with organizations like the Sussex Wildlife Trust and provided consultancy for educational content development, such as children’s book series on emotions and ITV’s ‘Planet Child’ series. Her research spans mixed-methods approaches, including participatory methods with children and caregivers. Notable projects include NIHR-funded studies on digital mental health toolkits and Kavli Trust-funded interventions to reduce anxiety transmission from parents to children. She actively engages in knowledge exchange and mentoring early-career researchers.
Mari Sandell is a Professor in Sensory Food Science at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Food and Nutrition. She also holds a professorship in Sensory Perception at the University of Turku's Faculty of Medicine. Her research focuses on sensory science, multisensory perception, and individual differences in food experiences. She has a PhD in food chemistry and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in the U.S. Education: PhD in Food Chemistry (University of Turku), Adjunct Professorship in Flavor Chemistry. She has completed certifications in university pedagogy and academic leadership. She is affiliated with the Functional Foods Forum at the University of Turku and chairs the Food Culture Society in South-West Finland. Research Interests: Sensory-based food education, plant-based food development, sustainable food systems, taste sensitivity, and the role of sensory perception in eating behavior. Her work bridges basic research and applied food science, with a focus on translating findings into practical solutions for food industry and education. Awards: Polak Young Investigator Award (2006), Academy of Finland Award for Social Impact (2012), and Docent of the Year (2017). Grants & Projects: Principal investigator in multiple Academy of Finland and Business Finland grants. Active in EU-funded initiatives like EIT Food projects (e.g., Fullprotein, 4Innopipe2). Her research addresses sustainability, food innovation, and sensory science challenges. Labs/Teams: Leads the Senses and Food research team ('Sandell Lab'), exploring multisensory perception and sustainable food solutions. Collaborates with industry and academic partners in Finland and internationally.
Scarlett Smout is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Matilda Centre, part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Her email is scarlett.smout@sydney.edu.au . Her research focuses on adolescent mental health, lifestyle behaviors, and the development of school-based interventions to address risk factors such as diet, physical activity, and substance use. She has contributed to studies on pandemic mental health impacts, the Health4Life eHealth intervention, and the role of parental monitoring in dietary habits. Her work also explores social determinants of loneliness during crises and the mental health trajectories of young adults during the pandemic. Key research areas include adolescent mental health outcomes, behavioral interventions, and the intersection of lifestyle factors with psychopathology. She has collaborated on large-scale trials and systematic reviews, including an umbrella review of global mental health during the pandemic and analyses of longitudinal data in gender-diverse populations. Her findings have informed policy recommendations for youth mental health recovery plans and public health strategies. Smout has secured grants including the 'Mentally Healthy Future Project' (2023) and a BHP Foundation grant for pandemic mental health response research (2020). Her contributions address both academic and policy domains, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to safeguard mental health in diverse populations. Labs/Teams: The Matilda Centre, where her work aligns with broader initiatives in mental health research and public health interventions.
Mary A. Carskadon is Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School and Director of the EP Bradley Hospital COBRE Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Her distinguished career spans over five decades with foundational contributions to sleep science. Her educational background includes a BA in psychology from Gettysburg College (1969) and a doctorate with distinction in neuro- and biobehavioral sciences from Stanford University (1979), earned under William C. Dement. She is a distinguished alumna of Gettysburg College and holds an honorary doctor of sciences degree from that institution. Carskadon's research focuses on circadian timing systems and sleep/wake patterns in children, adolescents, and young adults. Her work on school start times has significantly influenced public health policy, prompting organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC to advocate for later school schedules. She developed the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) with Dr. Dement, which remains a global standard for assessing sleep disorders. Current research examines sleep-health disparities in urban children with asthma, sleep patterns in suicide risk populations, and the impact of sleep restriction on adolescent performance. Her extensive publication record shows consistent focus on adolescent sleep physiology, circadian rhythms, and public health implications. Recent work explores connections between sleep timing, mental health, and academic performance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining her foundational work on sleep measurement methodologies. Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Sleep Foundation Distinguished Scientist and Outstanding Educator Awards of the Sleep Research Society (the latter now presented in her name) 2023 Brown University Distinguished Research Achievement Award William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award (2023) V. Sagar Sethi, M.D., Mental Health Research Award Leadership in Sleep Medicine Award from American Academy of Physicians of Indian Origin-Sleep Elected Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Carskadon directs the NIH/NIGMS-funded Bradley Hospital COBRE Center, mentoring junior researchers in pediatric sleep and circadian rhythms. She serves as inaugural editor-in-chief of SLEEP Advances and has secured multiple NIH grants including R01 HL142058 examining ethnic differences in children's sleep patterns with asthma, P20 GM139743 for the COBRE center, and R01 HD103665 investigating sleep restriction effects using neuroimaging. Her work bridges laboratory research with real-world applications, particularly in school policy reform and health equity initiatives. She leads multiple research teams including the CLASS Study (Circadian Light in Adolescence, Sleep and School), projects on sleep disruption in urban children with asthma, and studies examining sleep's role in opioid use disorder treatment. Her laboratory continues to innovate in sleep measurement techniques while maintaining longitudinal studies on adolescent sleep patterns across developmental stages.
Professor Suguru Torii is a distinguished faculty member at Waseda University's School of Sport Sciences, specializing in Sports Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. With a PhD in Sports Science, he serves as Director of the Waseda Institute of Human Growth and Development (2021-2026) and maintains affiliations with the Global Education Center. His research interests focus on the intricate relationship between growth, development, and sports injuries in children and adolescents. Torii has made significant contributions to understanding musculoskeletal development patterns , bone health in young athletes , and biomechanical factors contributing to sports injuries. His work bridges clinical practice with scientific research, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to injury prevention and treatment in pediatric populations. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on growth-related changes in musculoskeletal tissues , with particular attention to the timing of peak velocity in height, lean mass, and bone mass. His research employs advanced methodologies including DXA, ultrasound, and 3D motion analysis to investigate biomechanical and physiological adaptations during growth and sports participation. Japanese Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine Best Paper Award 2006 (awarded June 2007) 4th Japanese Society of Clinical Sports Medicine Award (awarded November 2005) Torii has led numerous significant research projects including The effectiveness of eating an appropriate breakfast in building the body of athletes (2019-2022) and Development of the appropriate evaluation of energy availability for Japanese female athletes (2016-2019). His work on energy availability, bone health in young athletes, and injury prevention has received funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He serves on the professional boards of multiple societies including the Japanese Society of Sports Psychiatry, Running Society, Japan Growth Society, and Japanese Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine. Professor Torii directs the Waseda Institute of Human Growth and Development, where his team conducts cutting-edge research on growth patterns, musculoskeletal development, and sports-related injuries in children and adolescents. The institute collaborates with clinical and research partners to translate scientific findings into practical applications for coaches, athletic trainers, and healthcare providers working with young athletes.
Peter A. Tass is a Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University's School of Medicine, where he leads the Tass Lab within the Department of Neurosurgery. His research focuses on developing groundbreaking neuromodulation techniques designed to impact the course of neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease, stroke, epilepsy, and tinnitus. The Tass Lab is part of several prestigious Stanford initiatives including Bio-X, the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI), and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. MD from Universities of Ulm and Heidelberg, Germany (1989) PhD in Physics from University of Stuttgart, Germany (1993) Diploma (master's degree) in Mathematics from University of Stuttgart, Germany (1993) Habilitation thesis in Physiology from RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany (2001) Dr. Tass's primary research interests center around computational neuroscience approaches to understanding and treating neurological disorders. His lab pioneers neuromodulation techniques based on thorough computational modeling that employs dynamic self-organization, plasticity, and other neuromodulation principles to produce sustained therapeutic effects after stimulation. He specifically focuses on developing stimulation methods that cause sustained neural desynchronization by unlearning abnormal synaptic interactions. His work spans both invasive techniques like deep brain stimulation and non-invasive approaches such as vibrotactile and acoustic stimulation. Current projects involve developing novel therapies for Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, tinnitus, and other neurological conditions using comprehensive computational neuroscience methods derived from non-linear dynamics, statistical physics, and numerics. Analysis of Dr. Tass's recent publications reveals a strong focus on coordinated reset stimulation techniques, neural network modeling with plasticity mechanisms, and computational approaches to brain stimulation. His work consistently bridges theoretical computational neuroscience with clinical applications, particularly for Parkinson's disease treatment. A significant portion of his recent research examines how stimulation parameters, sequences, and timing affect long-lasting desynchronization effects in neural networks. His publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach combining physics, mathematics, neuroscience, and clinical medicine to develop novel therapeutic interventions. Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2012) Nicolaus August Otto Innovation Prize (2011) German Innovation Award in Medicine (2011) Rapid Response Innovation Awards from The Michael J. Fox Foundation (2009, 2010) Runner-up for the German future prize (2006) Erwin Schrödinger prize (2005) Fritz Winter prize (2000) Dr. Tass actively mentors a diverse team of researchers including staff scientists, postdoctoral fellows, clinician-scientists, and students. His lab currently includes researchers with backgrounds in physics, computational neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and clinical neurology. The lab is involved in multiple clinical trials, including studies on coordinated reset spinal cord stimulation and vibrotactile coordinated reset stimulation for Parkinson's disease. His research is supported by various funding sources including foundations focused on neurological disorders and innovation in medical technology. Dr. Tass collaborates extensively with both internal Stanford researchers and external collaborators worldwide. The Tass Lab at Stanford is a multidisciplinary research group comprising physicists, neuroscientists, engineers, and clinicians working together to develop novel neuromodulation therapies. The lab team includes staff scientists like Justus Kromer (theoretical physicist), postdocs like Daniel Ehrens and Kanishk Chauhan, clinician-scientists like Tina Munjal, and clinical research coordinators. The lab maintains active collaborations with Stanford colleagues across departments including Kwabena Boahen, Vivek P. Buch, and Jaimie Henderson, as well as external collaborators like Alexander Neiman and Kęstutis Pyragas. Current research directions include developing non-invasive vibrotactile treatments for Parkinson's disease, acoustic coordinated reset therapy for tinnitus, and responsive deep brain stimulation for conditions like loss-of-control eating.
Dana Small, PhD is a Senior Scientist at the RI-MUHC and Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University . Her research is centered in the Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program within the Centre for Translational Biology . Her research focuses on understanding how body and mind work together to optimize behavior, particularly through neuroimaging, metabolic, and behavioral studies of ingestive behavior. She investigates how modern food environments affect brain evolution and eating behavior. The 15 most recent publications show a consistent focus on food reward mechanisms (2025), nutrient-brain interactions (2024), addiction-genetics relationships (2023), and neural processing of taste and reward (2020-2023). These works appear in high-impact journals like Cell Metabolism and Science .
Eunjung Lee is a Professor and the Factor-Inwentash Chair in Mental Health & Health at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, where she also serves as the Associate Dean, Academic. She holds a Ph.D. from Smith College. Her research focuses on cross-cultural psychotherapy, clinical practice in community mental health, and simulation-based learning in social work education. She critically examines policy discourses affecting immigrants and refugees under neoliberalism, challenging traditional notions of multiculturalism. Lee teaches clinical courses in the MSW program and social work theory at the doctoral level, emphasizing culturally responsive practice and social justice. Research & Grants Explores anti-Asian racism, youth cannabis use, and technology’s role in mental health for marginalized groups. Recipient of grants including the Simulation-Based Learning in Social Work Education and Global Research Network for Student Mental Health . Teaching & Leadership Chairs the MSW clinical curriculum and mentors students in critical practice. Advances equity through academic leadership and policy advocacy. Labs & Initiatives Leads the Inlight Initiative for student mental health. Pioneers digital simulation tools for culturally competent practice.
Professor Susan Jebb is a leading academic in diet and population health at the University of Oxford, holding dual roles as Professor of Diet and Population Health in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College. She chairs the Food Standards Agency and has held influential advisory roles including the UK Government’s Foresight Report on Obesity and Public Health England’s Obesity Review Group. Her research focuses on dietary interventions for obesity prevention, behavioral change strategies in primary care, and translating scientific evidence into public health policy. Education: BSc (University of Surrey, 1986) and PhD (University of Cambridge, 1990). Early career included roles at the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit and MRC Human Nutrition Research before moving to Oxford in 2013. Research Interests: Behavioral interventions for weight management, policy impacts on dietary behavior, and obesity-related chronic diseases. Her group conducts randomized controlled trials to improve healthcare practices and public health strategies. Notable contributions include developing school food standards and shaping hospital food policies. Awards: Awarded OBE (2008) for services to public health. Teaching and Advising: Co-leads the nutrition module in the MSc in Global Health Sciences. Supervises DPhil students in primary care and population health. Leads large-scale trials such as the NHS Diabetes Remission Programme. Public Engagement: Active in media (e.g., BBC documentaries) and collaborates with public panels to co-design research studies.
Jessica Fish is an Associate Professor in Family Science and Behavioral and Community Health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. She co-directs the UMD Prevention Research Center and serves as Faculty Affiliate at the Maryland Population Research Center. Her research examines LGBTQ+ health equity with focus on substance use, mental health, and family systems. Dr. Fish's work identifies modifiable factors contributing to health disparities to inform prevention strategies and policies. She holds a Ph.D. in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University and will accept PhD advisees starting 2025-2026.
Maree Higgins is a Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) , affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the School of Social Work . She serves as the Social Work Honours Program Convenor and is an Associate of the Australian Institute of Human Rights , with links to the Forced Migration Research Network , Kaldor Centre , and Gendered Violence Research Network . Education : Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work), Australian Catholic University (ACU National) Bachelor of Social Work (Hons First Class), UNSW Research Interests : Maree’s work centers on social justice , human rights , and contextualized lived experience , with a focus on refugee and migrant populations , disability studies , aged care , criminal justice reform , and participatory research methods . Her recent publications emphasize lived experience-led knowledge , co-design practices , and trauma-informed approaches . Grants : She has secured funding for projects like Missing Girls: from childhood runaway to criminalised woman (2022–2025; $204,307) and Ethics and community-based participatory research in refugee studies (2019; $5,000). Supervision : Maree supervises PhD candidates in areas such as intellectual disability and support needs , intimate partner violence , and border policy impacts on asylum seekers . Her completions include honors and master’s theses on autonomy in eating disorder treatment , technology-facilitated abuse , and Aboriginal women in maternity care . Professional Engagement : She collaborates with organizations including STARTTS , Foundation House , Black Dog Institute , and Prince of Wales Hospital , while actively participating in Australian Heads of Schools of Social Work , National Field Educational Network , and African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific .
Dr. Megan Skelton is a Research Fellow at King’s College London’s Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre (SGDP), affiliated with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. She holds a PhD in Psychology from King’s College London, funded by the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre. Her research focuses on leveraging genetic data and longitudinal medical records to study anxiety, depression, and treatment responses, particularly via genome-wide association studies (GWAS), polygenic scoring, and structural equation modeling. Current projects in Prof. Thalia Eley’s EDIT Lab involve prediction modeling, GWAS meta-analyses, and medical record linkage. Education: BSc Psychology (First Class, University of Leeds), MSc Genes, Environment and Development in Psychology (Distinction, King’s College London). Research experience includes roles at the University of Leeds (2011–2017) and King’s College London (2017–present). Awards include the British Psychological Society Undergraduate Award (2014) and Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Scholarship (2013). Key research themes include anxiety/depression comorbidity, treatment efficacy measurement, and understanding genetic influences on mental health outcomes. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) through advancements in personalized mental health care.
Dr. Joel Town is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and cross-appointed in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University . He holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of York and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) from the University of Sheffield. Education: BSc (Hons) in Psychology, University of York, England Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), University of Sheffield, England Dr. Town's research focuses on psychotherapy outcome research , mechanisms of change in psychotherapy , and psychological treatments for depression and medically unexplained symptoms . He specializes in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) , examining its efficacy for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and somatic symptom disorders. His work includes clinical trials , systematic reviews , and meta-analyses to evaluate therapeutic processes and outcomes. His recent publications highlight ISTDP applications for personality disorders, anxiety, chronic pain, and eating disorders. Key trends include emotional processing , therapeutic alliance dynamics , and cost-effectiveness of brief interventions . Dr. Town also explores how unconscious emotional conflicts influence treatment outcomes. As a clinician, he serves as the lead clinical psychologist at the Medically Unexplained Symptoms Clinic, QE-II Health Science Centre, and as Director of Dynamic Health Psychological Services, Halifax . He supervises clinical psychology interns and practicum students and contributes as a Consulting Editor for journals like Psychotherapy and Psychotherapy Research .
