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Elizabeth McCrackenView profile

Professor

• Creative Writing
• Fiction
• Short Stories
• +4 more

Elizabeth McCracken is a Professor in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, where she teaches creative writing courses including Advanced Fiction Workshop (CRW 355F), Literature for Writers (E 380F), and Fiction Writing (CRW 325F). She also teaches in the low residency MFA program at Bennington College. McCracken received her M.F.A. from the University of Iowa in 1990. Her academic career has been distinguished by numerous grants and fellowships from prestigious organizations including the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Her creative interests focus on Creative Writing , particularly Fiction , Short Stories , and Autobiographical Writing . McCracken's work explores complex human relationships, grief, memory, and the transformative power of storytelling. Her writing is characterized by its emotional depth, wit, keen observation of human nature, and ability to blend the comic with the heartbreaking. McCracken's publications have established her as a significant voice in contemporary American literature. Her work has been widely recognized for its originality and emotional resonance, appearing in prestigious collections such as The Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, and The O. Henry Prize Stories. Winner of The Story Prize for Thunderstruck & Other Stories (2015) Finalist for the National Book Award for The Giant's House (1996) Named one of the 20 Best Young American Novelists by Granta Recipient of grants from the Guggenheim Foundation, NEA, American Academy in Berlin, and other prestigious organizations As an educator, McCracken has mentored numerous writing students through her positions at the University of Texas and Bennington College. Her teaching emphasizes both technical craft and emotional authenticity, encouraging students to find their unique voices while developing strong writing techniques. Her 2023 novel The Hero of This Book has been named a Top Ten Best Book of the Year by Time and People magazines, further cementing her reputation as one of America's finest contemporary writers.

Alexandra HorowitzView profile

Adjunct Associate Professor

• Dog Cognition
• Canine Behavior
• Olfactory Experience
• +3 more

Alexandra Horowitz is a Senior Research Fellow and Adjunct Associate Professor at Barnard College. She has been teaching since 2004, specializing in dog cognition and olfactory research. Her academic roles span the Departments of English and Psychology, reflecting her interdisciplinary focus on animal behavior and human-animal interactions. Education: M.S. and Ph.D. in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego; B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. Research interests include naturalistic observations of dog social play, testing anthropomorphic assumptions, and characterizing canine olfactory abilities. She has authored influential books like Inside of a Dog and Being a Dog , exploring how dogs perceive the world. Her work frequently appears in top journals and media outlets, including the New York Times and TED-Ed. Recent articles highlight studies on dog navigation, play behavior, and olfactory perception. She has been recognized as among the Top 2% of Cited Authors globally. Her presentations and lectures span academic conferences, museums, and public forums, emphasizing science communication.

David StillwellView profile

Professor

• Psychometrics
• Computational Social Science
• Big Data Analytics
• +3 more

David Stillwell serves as Professor of Computational Social Science at Cambridge Judge Business School and Academic Director of The Psychometrics Centre, University of Cambridge. His research leverages big data to understand human psychology and behavior, with significant contributions in personality prediction from digital footprints and personalized advertising applications. His educational background includes: BSc in Psychology from the University of Nottingham (2007) MSc in Research Methods from the University of Nottingham (2008) PhD in Decision Making from the University of Nottingham (2012) Dr. Stillwell's research centers on computational social science and psychometrics, pioneering the myPersonality Facebook application that collected data from over 6 million users. His work demonstrates computers can predict personality as accurately as spouses, reveals psychological targeting's advertising effectiveness, and establishes links between personality-matched spending and life satisfaction. He also explores linguistic honesty markers through profanity analysis and personality-based dating patterns. His recent publications (2019-2025) reveal a strong trajectory toward AI evaluation using psychometric frameworks, particularly in medical and general-purpose AI assessment. Key themes include fairness metrics in language models, crisis emotional responses through social media, and computational personality recognition - demonstrating consistent innovation at the psychology-technology intersection. He has received significant recognition: Top 10 most influential papers of 2013 by Altmetric Nieman Journalism Lab highlight of 2013 Named in 'top 30 thinkers under 30' by Pacific Standard Magazine Dr. Stillwell maintains active industry engagement through consultancy with Barclays, Hilton, and Ubisoft on projects spanning computer-adaptive testing systems to interactive experiences like Predictive World for Watch Dogs 2. His policy impact is substantial, with citations by the European Data Protection Supervisor, World Bank, and multiple national governments, leading to speaking engagements at the European Parliament and Bank of England. As Academic Director of The Psychometrics Centre, he leads a global hub for advancing psychological assessment through innovative methods including Concerto open-source software, collaborating with organizations ranging from the European Commission to major corporations on psychometric applications in people analytics and digital behavior.

Claudio SilleroView profile

Professor

• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology
• Carnivore Conservation
• +3 more

Claudio Sillero is a Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Oxford and Section Head of Ecology & Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). He leads global efforts to conserve endangered species, particularly the Ethiopian wolf, and chairs the IUCN Canid Specialist Group. His work integrates behavioral ecology, disease mitigation, and transfrontier conservation strategies. Since joining WildCRU in 1988, he has pioneered research linking fundamental biology to practical conservation solutions. As founder and director of the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP), he focuses on safeguarding Afroalpine ecosystems through vaccination campaigns and habitat protection. His IUCN role oversees conservation strategies for all canid species worldwide. Research interests include carnivore behavioral ecology, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and the role of networks in conservation. Notable projects include resolving taxonomic ambiguities in wolf lineages and developing low-cost wildlife tracking technologies. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining ecological data with socio-political analysis to address conservation challenges. Key roles: Professor at University of Oxford, WildCRU Section Head, EWCP Director, IUCN Canid Specialist Group Chair Primary research sites: Ethiopian highlands, South American forests, African savannahs Key collaborations: Panthera, African Wild Dog Conservancy, local communities in Ethiopia and Bolivia Students and staff under his mentorship include Claire Marr (jaguar conservation), Dr. Sandra Lai (postdoctoral research on Ethiopian wolves), and Emily Madsen (conservation genetics). His work has led to breakthroughs in understanding canid disease dynamics and carnivore spatial ecology.

Claus LammView profile

Professor

• Empathy
• Prosocial Behavior
• Social Neuroscience
• +5 more

Claus Lamm is a Full Professor of Biological Psychology at the University of Vienna , where he leads the Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit (SCAN-Unit) . He serves as Vice Dean for Research and Advancement of Early Career Researchers at the Faculty of Psychology and holds affiliations with the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub , Environment & Climate Change Hub , and Austrian Academy of Sciences . His academic career spans international collaborations and formative research experience abroad. Scientific Focus: Lamm investigates the neural underpinnings of empathy and prosocial behavior , employing multi-modal approaches combining neuroimaging, psychopharmacology, and psychoneuroendocrinology . His work extends to comparative studies with ravens and dogs, and explores environmental social neuroscience through climate change decision-making research. Recent publications show trends in cross-cultural psychology , machine learning applications , and neurobiological pathways related to social behavior. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the APS Mentor Award for his support of early career researchers. Funded by European Research Council , Austrian Science Fund , Vienna Science and Technology Fund , and intramural grants exceeding €10 million. Key projects include "Unravelling the opioid system in empathy" and "Comparative dog-human fMRI" . Media Engagement: A prominent public science communicator, Lamm has appeared in Nature , Science Magazine , and Austrian media outlets like Ö1 Mittagsjournal and ORF2 , discussing topics from pandemic psychology to social media effects . He maintains active outreach through Science TV and educational programs .

Ashli Owen-SmithView profile

Researcher

• Mental Health
• Behavioral Science
• Trauma
• +6 more

Ashli Owen-Smith is a behavioral scientist affiliated with the School of Public Health at Georgia State University , where her research focuses on mental health disparities, suicide prevention, and integrative/complementary approaches for complex mental-physical health conditions. She works with underserved populations including refugees/immigrants, incarcerated individuals, and LGBTQ+ communities through community-based participatory research and mixed-methods frameworks. Her current projects are funded by CDC , DBHDD , and DPH . Education: Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences (Emory, 2009), S.M. in Public Health (Harvard, 2005), B.A. in Psychology (Smith College, 2001) Her research spans mental health , trauma , suicide prevention , and mindfulness-based interventions . Recent work examines telehealth adaptations for chronic pain and mental health, vaccine hesitancy in refugee communities, and social determinants of suicide . She leads studies on gender-affirming care and health disparities in LGBTQ+ populations. Key article trends include epidemiological analysis of suicide risk factors, COVID-19 impacts on mental health, ICD-10 coding for autism, and complementary medicine in trauma recovery. Subfields span telehealth , health equity , mental-physical comorbidity , and community engagement . Students she has mentored include C.A. Scarlett , T. Griner , and M.M. Sesay . Her work integrates public health policy , clinical research , and health systems analysis .

Trent K. BollingerView profile

Professor

• Wildlife Disease Pathology
• Epidemiology
• Chronic Wasting Disease
• +3 more

Trent K. Bollinger is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Saskatchewan's Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), and serves as Regional Director for the Western/Northern Region of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC). His academic credentials include a BSc (Honours) from the University of Saskatchewan (1984), a DVM (Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan (1988), and a DVSc in Pathology from the Ontario Veterinary College (1992). Dr. Bollinger's research focuses on the pathology and epidemiology of diseases in wildlife and fish, with particular emphasis on chronic wasting disease in deer/elk and white-nose syndrome in bats. He has conducted extensive studies on disease transmission dynamics, wildlife population health, and the ecological impacts of emerging pathogens. His work bridges veterinary science, ecology, and conservation biology. His publications demonstrate expertise in viral and bacterial zoonoses, fungal pathogens affecting bats, and spatial epidemiology of wildlife diseases. Recent research highlights include investigating sylvatic plague in prairie dogs, coronavirus persistence in hibernating bats, and landscape connectivity's role in chronic wasting disease spread. His studies often combine molecular diagnostics, field observations, and ecological modeling. Dr. Bollinger collaborates with national and international wildlife agencies, contributing to disease surveillance and management strategies for endangered species. His work emphasizes the interconnectedness of wildlife health, ecosystem health, and public health concerns.

Alex KleinView profile

Assistant Professor

• Capital Punishment
• Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law
• +3 more

Alex Klein is an Assistant Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University School of Law, focusing on capital punishment, criminal law, and constitutional issues around execution practices. He teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure: Adjudication, and Death Penalty courses. Education: J.D. from W&L Law (2016), B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University Previous Faculty: Visiting Assistant Professor at W&L Law, Assistant Professor at St. Mary’s University School of Law His research explores the legal, ethical, and societal dimensions of capital punishment, particularly the Eighth Amendment's Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause. He examines execution methods, bodily autonomy, and the psychological impact on executioners and legal stakeholders. Recent publications include analyses of Supreme Court cases like Baze v. Rees , Glossip v. Gross , and Bucklew v. Precythe , which address constitutional standards for execution protocols. His work critiques the Court's approach to pain assessment in capital punishment. Scientific Awards: Al Kauffman Faculty Excellence and Support Award from St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice Before academia, Klein served in the Peace Corps (2008–2010) and worked in youth education/juvenile detention programs. He clerked at the Maryland Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. His family includes his husband, son, and two dogs in Lexington, Virginia.

• Military History
• Genocide Studies
• Colonial History
• +5 more

Gervase Phillips is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of History at Manchester Metropolitan University. He serves as Head of the History Section and is a Faculty Timetable Champion. His research focuses on human conflict, including struggles between nations, religions, ideologies, and persecution. Key interests include technology in warfare, the military use of animals, and the causes/resolution of conflicts. Phillips also explores historical themes such as the Civil War, colonialism, and genocide. Teaching emphasizes fostering analytical thinking through engaging methods, including role-play and document analysis. He advocates for the importance of history in cultivating critical thinking, empathy, and adaptability. Phillips has authored books like Persecution and Genocide: A History (2024) and contributed to scholarly discussions on topics ranging from medieval warfare to modern military ethics. Administratively, he balances academic leadership with pedagogical innovation. His work bridges historical analysis and contemporary relevance, often highlighting the moral complexities of past conflicts and their legacies today.

• Veterinary Medicine
• Dog Science
• Serum Metabolomics
• +6 more

Marcella D Ridgway serves as Clinical Professor and Assistant Head for Curriculum and Instruction in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, with additional affiliation at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Her research expertise spans: Veterinary diagnostics with emphasis on canine health Serum and Untargeted Metabolomics techniques Clinical presentations of metabolic disorders Breed-specific medicine for working dogs Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency diagnostics Dr. Ridgway's scholarly work demonstrates consistent innovation in applying metabolomics to veterinary clinical problems. Her recent publications reveal a strategic focus on understanding serum metabolite profiles across different species and conditions, with particular attention to pre-analytical variables that impact diagnostic accuracy. The research trajectory shows increasing specialization in working dog medicine, with comprehensive reviews covering herding and hunting breeds alongside metabolic health assessment. With 22 total research outputs including 18 articles, 3 review articles, and 1 book chapter, her work appears in respected journals including PLOS ONE and Animals, with international collaboration networks extending across multiple research territories.

Jonathan SantoView profile

Professor

• Developmental Psychology
• Peer Relations
• Child and Adolescent Development
• +3 more

Jonathan Santo is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where he serves as Director of the Graduate Developmental Psychology Program and as a faculty member in the Office of Latino/Latin-American Studies. His research explores peer relations, cultural differences in self-esteem, and classroom-level influences on child and adolescent development, with a focus on improving school environments and fostering positive social interactions. ORCA Faculty Fellow His research spans broad areas including Developmental Psychology , Social Support Systems , and Cross-Cultural Peer Dynamics , with specific attention to peer victimization , self-continuity , school climate , and developmental trajectories in Brazilian and Colombian youth . Recent publications analyze topics like hikikomori experiences , friendship security , and HPA axis dysregulation in adolescents. Scientific awards include the ORCA Faculty Fellow recognition. His work often involves longitudinal assessments of peer relationships cross-cultural comparisons (Brazil, Colombia, China, Nigeria, Singapore, U.S.) policy-focused blog posts on family separations and school interventions

Tim WilliamsView profile

Professor

• Extracellular vesicles
• Kidney disease
• Endocrinopathies
• +5 more

Professor Tim Williams is Professor of Veterinary Clinical Pathology at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, and Director of Studies in Veterinary Medicine at Fitzwilliam College. He is also a visiting research fellow in the Karet laboratory at the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research. His research focuses on extracellular vesicles in renal and urinary tract disorders, with particular emphasis on: The utility of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for renal diseases The clinical significance of the bactericidal activity of urinary exosomes Novel biomarkers for chronic kidney disease in cats Potential biomarkers for urothelial cell carcinoma in dogs His work bridges veterinary clinical pathology, molecular biology, and translational medicine with applications in feline and canine medicine. Recent publications demonstrate his focus on identifying differentially expressed proteins and microRNAs associated with extracellular vesicles in disease states, spanning from fundamental bactericidal properties to clinical applications in companion animals. Professor Williams has received the Society for Comparative Endocrinology award for Excellence in the Advancement in Veterinary Endocrinology in both 2011 and 2015. He supervises multiple graduate students and maintains extensive collaborations across Cambridge departments and international institutions including Royal Veterinary College, Tufts University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His research is supported by PetPlan Charitable Trust, BSAVA Petsavers, and the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. As leader of the Extracellular Vesicle Research Group, Professor Williams investigates the role of extracellular vesicles in disease processes and their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools, with particular focus on translational applications from veterinary to human medicine.

Jeppe Lund NielsenView profile

Professor

• Microbial Ecology
• Functional Ecology
• Genomics
• +10 more

Jeppe Lund Nielsen is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences at the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Aalborg University, Denmark. His research lies at the intersection of microbial ecology, genomics, and environmental biotechnology, with a strong focus on sustainable solutions for wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, and environmental monitoring. His primary research interests include Microbial Ecology, Functional Ecology, Genomics, Molecular and Technical Microbiology, Anaerobic Digestion, Metagenomics, and eDNA Metabarcoding . He applies molecular tools to understand microbial community dynamics in engineered and natural systems, particularly in wastewater and marine environments. His work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water, sustainable cities, and climate action. The recent publication trends reflect a strong emphasis on environmental applications of microbiome science, including nitrogen cycling in wastewater, bioaerosol exposure in workers, eDNA-based biodiversity monitoring, and valorization of waste streams through biotechnology. His articles frequently appear in high-impact environmental and microbiological journals and demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, ecology, and public health. Among his notable scientific contributions are leadership roles in significant research projects such as the AAU Bubble Project (Power2Proteins), JAMBO seabed impact study, and investigations into biotechnological pesticides. He has also contributed to public discourse through media engagement on topics like pesticide regulation and environmental innovation. Professor Nielsen has supervised PhD students, including M. Eskeldsen, and is actively involved in grants and collaborative research across Europe. He is a key member of research teams focused on environmental microbiology, wastewater biotechnology, and marine impact assessments. His lab integrates molecular biology, bioinformatics, and environmental engineering to address pressing sustainability challenges.

• Occupational Therapy
• Telehealth
• Telerehabilitation
• +2 more

Jana Cason, DHSc, OTR/L is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the Graduate College of Health Sciences, Hawai'i Pacific University. With a career spanning diverse practice settings—including hand therapy, outpatient rehabilitation, and telehealth—she has significantly advanced the use of telehealth in occupational therapy through research, policy development, and international collaboration. Doctorate in Health Science (DHSc) from the University of Indianapolis MHS and BS in Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis and University of Alabama at Birmingham Her research focuses on telehealth implementation, compassionate care, and early intervention. She has authored peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and standards for telehealth practice, and serves as Senior Associate Editor for the International Journal of Telerehabilitation . Dr. Cason has presented globally and contributed to resolving licensure portability challenges for telerehabilitation professionals. Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) Developer of telehealth protocols and frameworks Advocate for uniform state licensure requirements She integrates clinical practice, research, and education, emphasizing cultural competence in Hawaiian and Pacific Asian contexts while maintaining three rescue dogs and cats with her family.

Gregory C. GrayView profile

Professor

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• One Health Approach
• Occupational Disease Transmission
• +4 more

Gregory C. Gray, MD, MPH, FIDSA is a Professor in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas, with appointments across multiple departments including Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Microbiology & Immunology, and Global Health & Emerging Diseases. Dr. Gray has conducted epidemiological studies of infectious diseases for over 25 years across five continents, with a particular focus on occupational disease transmission, especially respiratory viruses. His research has examined farmers, veterinarians, turkey workers, swine workers, poultry workers, horse workers, cattle workers, hunters, and military personnel. He pioneered the Millennium Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study of approximately 300,000 people projected to continue through 2068, and has led numerous large-scale vaccine trials. As a strong advocate for the One Health approach, Dr. Gray has established One Health centers in the USA, Romania, and China, and developed four graduate programs in One Health (PhD, MHS, and certificates). His recent research focuses on zoonotic spillover events, universal influenza vaccines, and coronavirus detection in agricultural settings, with numerous publications in 2024-2025 addressing H5N1 avian influenza, respiratory virus transmission, and environmental health impacts. Selected honors include: Department of Defense Legion of Merit Medal Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service Medal of Honor from Mongolia's Minister of Health The Peace Medal awarded by the President of Mongolia University of Texas Medical Branch Robert E. Shope, MD Professorship Dr. Gray has authored over 350 peer-reviewed manuscripts cited more than 21,000 times (H-index 76). His current research portfolio includes multiple active grants from the USDA, Fogarty International Center, and private industry focusing on zoonotic disease surveillance, influenza vaccines, and coronavirus detection in agricultural settings. He has mentored numerous students and established international collaborations across six continents.