Find Academic Supervisors

Yiqun PanView profile

Visiting Professor

• Building Performance Simulation
• Energy Efficiency
• Sustainable Building Design
• +5 more

Dr. Yiqun Pan is a Special Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics, and a Visiting Professor at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. With 25+ years of experience, she specializes in building performance simulation, energy efficiency, and sustainable design. Her work integrates machine learning and big data to enhance building performance and occupant well-being. Research focuses include low-carbon building technologies, energy flexibility optimization, and carbon reduction strategies. She has led projects funded by the China National Science Foundation and U.S. Energy Foundation. Dr. Pan has authored six books and over 150 publications, including 42 English journal papers. Teaching includes courses on LEED certification, green infrastructure, HVAC systems for low-carbon buildings, and building energy systems integration. Awards include IBPSA Fellow and ASHRAE Membership. She chaired the 2023 Building Simulation Conference, demonstrating global leadership in building science. Her contributions span tool development (e.g., DeST 3.0 simulation platform) and interdisciplinary collaborations. Current work bridges academic research with practical applications, advancing sustainable urban development and zero-carbon building practices.

Ananda MarinView profile

Associate Professor

• Learning Sciences
• Socio-Cultural Studies
• STEM Education
• +3 more

Ananda Marin is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. She holds a doctoral degree from Northwestern University and specializes in learning sciences with a focus on socio-cultural dimensions of learning and development. Her work emphasizes Indigenous and non-dominant communities, exploring practices such as family science activities, Native American STEM participation, and culturally responsive methodologies. Marin employs participatory approaches including community-based design research, discourse analysis, and video-ethnography. Her research investigates how mobility, place, and cultural variability influence knowledge-building, with projects like analyzing forest walks as ecological learning contexts and reimagining STEM education through decolonial frameworks. She advocates for ethical validity in co-research practices and dignity-affirming pedagogies. Key themes in her scholarship include relational ontologies, embodied cognition, and the intersection of globalization with Indigenous epistemologies. Recent work highlights walking methodologies, improvisational dance as enactive cognition, and the role of storytelling in collective learning. Marin’s interdisciplinary contributions bridge cognitive science, cultural studies, and educational equity.

Chris PattiView profile

Associate Professor

• Interpersonal Communication
• Holocaust Survivor Experience
• Oral History
• +5 more

Dr. Chris Patti is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Appalachian State University, affiliated with the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies. His work bridges communication theory with compassionate practices, focusing on trauma-informed dialogue and Holocaust survivor narratives. He teaches courses such as Intercultural Communication, Communication Ethics, and Communicating Science. Patti earned his Ph.D. from the University of South Florida, alongside MA and BA degrees from California State University, Long Beach. Education: Ph.D., Communication, University of South Florida M.A., Communication Studies, California State University, Long Beach B.A., Communication Studies, California State University, Long Beach His research emphasizes interpersonal communication, compassionate listening, and innovative research methods like autoethnography and ethnographic storytelling. Recent projects include collaborative oral history initiatives with Holocaust survivors and explorations of mindfulness in communication. Key contributions include studies on trauma recovery, educational pedagogy, and the philosophical underpinnings of human relations. His publications span academic journals and edited volumes, addressing topics such as narrative inquiry, ethical interviewing, and the intersection of Zen philosophy with communication practices. Notable recognitions include multiple 'Best Professor' awards and leadership in fostering dialogue on antisemitism and peace studies. Awards: Appalachian’s 'Best of Boone' Professor (2022, 2016, 2015) Outstanding Professor, College of Fine and Applied Arts (2016-17, 2014-15) Faculty Last Lecture Series Speaker (2019) Patti’s community engagement includes public lectures, documentary collaborations, and interdisciplinary research teams. His approach integrates theoretical rigor with practical compassion, aiming to transform communication across personal, academic, and societal contexts.

Karen FissView profile

Professor

• Visual Culture
• Nation Branding
• National Identity
• +5 more

Karen Fiss is a Professor in the History of Art and Visual Culture Program at California College of the Arts, specializing in the visual production of national identity from the 1930s to contemporary nation branding practices. Her research examines how soft power mechanisms shape social, artistic and built environments, with particular focus on the commodification of citizenship and historical memory. Fiss holds a PhD from Yale University and a BA from Brown University. Her academic journey includes previous positions as Assistant Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at Washington University St. Louis, and curatorial roles at The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and the Institute for Contemporary Arts in London. Her research interests explore the intersections of visual culture, political power, and national identity formation. Fiss investigates how nation branding practices relate to globalization mechanisms in the contemporary art world, examining case studies from Vietnam, Germany, and South Africa following the Cold War. Her work critically analyzes how cultural exchange shifts toward political collaboration, and how historical narratives are commodified in postcolonial emerging economies. Her publications reveal consistent engagement with postcolonial visual culture, nation branding, and political representation. The most recent works demonstrate increasing focus on transgender rights, legal representation of gender identity, and the visual politics of post-conflict societies, while maintaining her foundational research on historical propaganda and contemporary branding practices. Graham Foundation Grant Getty Grant Program National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Grant Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts Fellowship Fiss has served as Jury Chair for USA Artists Awards in Architecture and Design (2010) and on selection panels for USA fellowships (2009). Her curatorial work includes co-curating Necessary Force: Art in a Police State (2015) and serving as film curator for Encounters with the 1930s at Madrid's Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (2012-2013), where she curated the film program Cinema of the 1930s: Blue Flowers in a Catastrophic Landscape. Fiss maintains active engagement with international artistic communities through residencies such as her 2015 residency at Sàn Art in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and collaborations with institutions including Columbia University, University of California Berkeley, and Berlin's Schwules Museum.

Cristina Ros i SoléView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Intercultural Communication
• Multilingualism
• Material Cultures
• +4 more

Cristina Ros i Solé is a Senior Lecturer in Language, Culture and Learning at Goldsmiths, University of London. She holds a PhD from King's College London, an MSc from the University of Edinburgh, and an MA from the University of Barcelona. Her research explores multilingualism, interculturality, and material cultures through post-humanist and new materialist lenses. Key projects include investigating 'home-making' in internationalized campuses and the role of everyday objects in intercultural communication. She chairs the International Association of Languages and Intercultural Communication and serves on editorial boards for journals like Language and Intercultural Communication . Her recent works include Material Interculturality (2024) and Liberating Language Education (2022). Research focuses on: embodied language learning, material semiotics, and globalization's impact on cultural identity. Methodologies include ethnography, auto-ethnography, and post-qualitative approaches. Grants include HEFCE-funded Languages of the Wider World (2010-2015) and AHRC Language Acts (2017-2018). Supervised students include Busra Akun (Turkish multilingualism) and Maria Cristina Zaror (preschool literacy). Active in global academic networks, including the International Centre for Intercultural Studies.

Jacob BeckView profile

Professor

• Philosophy of Mind
• Cognitive Science
• Perception-Cognition Interface
• +3 more

Jacob Beck is a Professor of Philosophy at York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and holds the York Research Chair in the Philosophy of Visual Perception. He is affiliated with York’s Cognitive Science Program (served as Director 2018–2022) and the Centre for Vision Research. His research bridges philosophy and cognitive science, focusing on pre-linguistic mental representation, perception, and numerical cognition. He has published in top-tier journals like Mind , Noûs , and The Journal of Philosophy , and co-edited the Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Animal Minds . Beck earned a PhD from Harvard University and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, with postdoctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis. He has received grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and fellowships from ACLS and NEH. His teaching includes courses on perception, philosophy of mind, and cognitive science. His recent work explores analog mental representation, the perception-cognition boundary, and the nature of perceptual confidence. Key themes include how sensory systems interact with higher cognition, the role of non-linguistic representation, and the philosophical implications of cognitive neuroscience findings.

• Multi-modal Composition
• Feminist Theory
• Trauma and Psychoanalytic Theory
• +3 more

Tara J. Roeder is an Associate Professor and Director of the First Year Writing Program at St. John's University's Department of Core Studies. Her work focuses on multi-modal composition, feminist theory, trauma studies, and critical animal theory. She holds a Ph.D. from CUNY Graduate Center (2014) and has taught since 2006, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to writing instruction. Her research explores intersections between anti-speciesism and social justice, with notable publications like *Critical Expressivism* (2015) and recent contributions to MLA's *Social Justice in Action* (2024). Education: Ph.D. English (CUNY GC), M.A. & B.A. English (St. John's University) Leadership: FYW Program Director, Committee Chair for Program Review Awards: 2020 Hammond House Prize (2nd place), Pushcart nominations Roeder advocates for innovative pedagogy through platforms like the 'Coming to Writing' conference and has presented widely on composition studies, trauma-based writing, and global learning. Her creative works include poetry chapbooks and fiction recognized in literary journals.

Maria de Los Angeles Rodriguez AlonsoView profile

Professor

• Spanish Literature
• Literary Theory
• Comparative Literature
• +5 more

Maria de Los Angeles Rodriguez Alonso is a Professor at the Universidad de Murcia , affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities within the Department of Spanish Literature, Literary Theory and Comparative Literature . Her academic work focuses on critical discourse analysis and contemporary Spanish theater studies. Doctoral thesis: El discurso crítico sobre el teatro del franquismo a la transición (1966-1982) Research group: History and Epistemology of Literary Theory Research Interests span: Spanish Literature and Francoist Memory Comparative Dramaturgical Analysis Post-Transition Theater Evolution Critical Discourse Theory Publication Trends over the last decade reveal deep engagement with: Memory and Trauma in Spanish Theater Metaphorical Language in Performance Transatlantic Cultural Exchange Body Politics under Censorship

Kelsey Mac Leod JohansenView profile

Researcher

• Sustainable Tourism
• Nature-Based Tourism
• Water Recreation
• +10 more

Dr. Kelsey M. Johansen is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Eastern Finland's UEF Business School (Joensuu Campus), specializing in the amenity, experiential, economic, and societal value of blue spaces and trails for recreation, wellbeing, and sustainable tourism development. Her work focuses on community-centered approaches to tourism product development, knowledge mobilization across sectors, and designing transformative nature-based experiences through collaborative partnerships. Her research integrates themes of wellbeing tourism , nature-human connection , and sustainable recreation , with a particular emphasis on Japanese inbound markets to Finland. Key projects include the SenseLab (2023-2025) and collaborations with the Japanese Elämä Project and EcoConscious Japan to co-create culturally embedded wellness experiences. Current interests span transformational travel design digital tourism experiences blue space utilization community asset activation Recent publications analyze trends in wellbeing tourism (2025), virtual tourism experiences (2024), and trail tourism resilience (2022). Her work bridges forest bathing practices with academic frameworks for transformative experiences, emphasizing reflection, integration, and cross-cultural exchange.

Erin R OttmarView profile

Associate Professor

• Mathematics Education
• Educational Psychology
• Perceptual Learning
• +2 more

Dr. Erin R. Ottmar is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Learning Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), affiliated with the Department of Social Science & Policy Studies. She directs the MAPLE (Math Abstraction Play Learning Embodiment) Lab, focusing on educational technology and mathematics cognition. She holds a BA in Psychology and Elementary Education from the University of Richmond (2005) and a PhD in Educational Psychology: Applied Developmental Science from the University of Virginia (2011). Her postdoctoral training was completed at the University of Richmond. Her research integrates educational, cognitive, and developmental psychology to design interventions improving mathematics teaching/learning. Key projects include developing dynamic educational technologies like From Here to There and Graspable Math that embed perceptual learning and gesture-based interaction. Her current work examines how cognitive and non-cognitive pathways combine to enhance K-12 mathematics education, using classroom observations, longitudinal data, and multi-level modeling. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on: Perceptual learning mechanisms in mathematics Educational technology efficacy Classroom implementation studies Game-based learning analytics Cognitive factors in mathematical reasoning Awards include: NSF CAREER Award (2022) Sigma Xi Outstanding Junior Faculty Researcher Award (2022) AERA Early Career Fellow (2016) She actively mentors graduate/undergraduate students in the LST program and Psychology department. Major grants include NSF funding for projects on perceptual cues in algebra learning ($668K) and AI-supported teacher tools. She emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world applications in her lab.

Stephen FlusbergView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cognitive Science
• Linguistics
• Metaphor Theory
• +5 more

Stephen Flusberg is an Assistant Professor of Cognitive Science at Vassar College, where he has been affiliated since 2023. He holds a BA from Northwestern University and both an MA and PhD from Stanford University. His research focuses on the intersection of language, cognition, and social perception, particularly exploring how metaphors, framing, and linguistic structures shape human thought and behavior. Key areas of inquiry include metaphor theory, cognitive biases, and the psychological mechanisms underlying communication. Flusberg’s work examines how metaphorical language influences public discourse on topics like health, environment, and education. He investigates framing effects in contexts ranging from vaccine messaging to policy communication, emphasizing the role of pragmatic reasoning and cultural context. His interdisciplinary approach bridges cognitive science, linguistics, and psychology to understand how linguistic choices impact decision-making, memory, and social attitudes. Recent projects explore the cognitive underpinnings of metaphor comprehension, the role of syntax in perpetuating stereotypes, and the application of large language models in educational settings. His research often highlights the societal implications of language use, from public health messaging to environmental advocacy. Flusberg’s advising and grant activities are not explicitly detailed in the provided texts, though his active publication record suggests involvement in collaborative research initiatives. He is a member of Vassar’s Cognitive Science department and contributes to interdisciplinary discussions on embodiment, perception, and communication.

Ken NakagakiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• User Interfaces
• Robotics
• +3 more

Ken Nakagaki is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Chicago and founder of the Actuated Experience Lab (AxLab). He specializes in designing novel actuated tangible user interfaces (A-TUIs) that merge physical materials with computational and robotic systems to create interactive, shape-changing experiences. His work emphasizes seamless integration of dynamic digital information into physical tools and materials. Education: Ph.D. in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT Media Lab (advisor: Hiroshi Ishii) Research Focus: Actuated Tangible User Interfaces (A-TUIs) Shape-changing and reconfigurable technologies Embodied interaction and haptic feedback systems His research bridges robotics, design, and human-computer interaction, driven by curiosity-based prototyping. Awards & Recognition: MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 (Japan & Asia Pacific) Japan Media Arts Festival awards James Dyson Award finalist Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards Labs & Collaborations: AxLab explores actuated interfaces and shape-changing systems to reimagine human-computer interaction in physical spaces.

Erkki HuovinenView profile

Professor

• Music Education
• Psychology of Music
• Philosophy of Music
• +7 more

Erkki Huovinen is a Professor of Music Education at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden, since 2016. Previously, he held professorships in Musicology at multiple Finnish universities and was a Visiting Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Music. He earned his PhD in Musicology at the University of Turku in 2002, focusing on tonality perception in melodies. His research spans the psychology of music , philosophy of music , and music education , with a focus on creativity, improvisation pedagogy, and mixed-methods approaches. Key Research Areas: Music and imagination, empirical studies on musical creativity, eye-tracking in music reading, theoretical understanding of musical aesthetics. Major Projects: Led the Academy of Finland’s Reading Music: Eye-Movements and the Development of Expertise (2014–2018), exploring visual processes in music reading. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book contributions, including works on music perception, improvisation psychology, and interdisciplinary methodologies. His research integrates qualitative and quantitative methods, such as microphenomenological interviews and eye-tracking studies. He has also contributed to textbooks like Musiikkipsykologia and edited volumes on musical improvisation. His work frequently bridges empirical research with philosophical inquiry, emphasizing the interplay between theory and practice. Grant History: Academy of Finland consortium leader (2014–2018). Teaching: Focuses on music education innovation and interdisciplinary pedagogy. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary groups in cognitive science and music technology.

• Music Theory
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Queer Musicology
• +5 more

Fred Maus is a Professor in Critical & Comparative Studies at the University of Virginia, specializing in interdisciplinary research that bridges music theory, gender and sexuality studies, and narrative theory. His work explores the intersection of identity, trauma, and musical expression. Ph.D. in Music Theory, Princeton University M.Litt. in Philosophy, Oxford University His research spans queer popular music, embodiment in musical performance, and the narrative dimensions of instrumental music. Recent projects examine LGBTQ+ identities in professional music theory, queer listening practices, and trauma-informed approaches to music analysis. Dr. Maus co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Music and Queerness (2022) and has published influential essays on topics such as queer sexuality in classical concert music, AIDS-related narratives in songwriting, and the somatic experience of musical performance. His work often engages with feminist and critical frameworks. Scientific awards and roles include: Founding member and first Book Review Editor of Women and Music First Chair of the Queer Resource Group of the Society for Music Theory First Chair of SMT’s Standing Committee on LGBTQ+ Issues Co-editor of foundational texts in queer music studies His teaching emphasizes slow, reflective approaches to music analysis and the philosophical underpinnings of musical experience.

Christian MuiseView profile

Assistant Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Automated Planning
• Machine Learning
• +6 more

Christian Muise is an Assistant Professor at Queen's University's School of Computing, part of the Faculty of Arts and Science. He holds a PhD (2014) in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Toronto, where he was advised by Sheila McIlraith and J. Christopher Beck. His research focuses on automated planning under uncertainty, combining planning with learning for applications like goal-oriented dialogue systems and multi-agent coordination. He previously held postdoctoral roles at the University of Melbourne's Agentlab and MIT's CSAIL, and was a Research Staff Member at the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. Education: PhD in Artificial Intelligence, University of Toronto (2014) MSc in Computer Science, University of Toronto (2009) BSc in Computer Science, Carleton University (2007) Research Interests: His work bridges automated planning and machine learning, emphasizing robustness in uncertain environments. Key areas include non-deterministic planning, model acquisition with large language models (LLMs), and human-aware planning. He explores applications in healthcare (e.g., treatment response prediction), robotics (autonomous navigation), and dialogue systems for safety-critical domains. Current projects include developing explainable planning systems and mitigating bias in AI decision-making. Awards: Scotiabank Scholar (Scotiabank Centre for Customer Analytics) Advising & Labs: Leads the Mu Lab, supervising PhD and Master's students in topics like model acquisition, dialogue systems, and planning bias. Active in open-source tools (e.g., L2P, MACQ library) to democratize planning research. Collaborates on projects like PRP Rebooted and FixMyPlan to advance FOND planning and LLM integration. Labs/Teams: Mu Lab at Queen’s University, focusing on planning under uncertainty, AI safety, and neuro-symbolic systems.