Dr. Kandi J. Wiens is a Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Penn Master’s in Medical Education Program and the Penn Health Professions Education Certificate Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. She also serves as Academic Director of the PennCLO Executive Doctoral Program. Her expertise spans burnout prevention, emotional intelligence, and organizational development, with a focus on helping leaders and professionals build resilience through EI-based strategies. Wiens holds an EdD from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the University of Oregon, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Montana State University. Her research includes longitudinal studies on burnout among police leaders and healthcare professionals, as well as interventions to mitigate stress through emotional intelligence training. Wiens is a nationally recognized speaker and author of the USA Today bestseller Burnout Immunity , which explores how EI skills can protect individuals from burnout. She has designed over 2,000 leadership development programs and contributed to prominent publications like the Harvard Business Review. Education: EdD (University of Pennsylvania), MBA (University of Oregon), B.S. (Montana State University) Awards: Thinkers50 Radar 2024, Triple Distinctions from UPenn Key Projects: Leadership coaching for Police Executive Leadership Institute (since 2017), LA Police Department burnout study Wiens’ work bridges academic research and practical application, aiming to transform organizational cultures and individual resilience through evidence-based strategies.
Danny Poo Chiang Choon is a tenured Associate Professor at the School of Computing (SOC), National University of Singapore (NUS). As Curriculum Chair of the Department of Information Systems and Analytics, he plays a key role in designing and implementing Information Systems and Computer Science curriculum at NUS. Dr. Poo earned his BSc (Honours), MSc and PhD in Computation from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), United Kingdom. His academic journey has established him as a leader in health informatics and information systems at NUS. His research spans multiple domains with strong focus on Healthcare Informatics , where he investigates mobile health interventions, health analytics, and systems for improving patient care. His work in Data Science & Business Analytics explores knowledge management, information sharing, and effective search strategies. In Intelligent Systems , he examines software engineering approaches, object-oriented systems, and knowledge classification frameworks. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward mobile health applications, particularly in coronary heart disease prevention and diabetes management. Dr. Poo's work consistently bridges technical computing with practical healthcare applications, focusing on user-centered design and evidence-based interventions. His research shows strong interdisciplinary integration between computer science, healthcare systems, and behavioral science, with emphasis on practical implementation in Singapore's healthcare context. Dr. Poo has served in numerous leadership roles including as the founding Director of the Centre for Health Informatics at NUS (2012-2015) and as a member of the Steering Committee of the Asia Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC) since 1994, serving as Vice-Chairman from 2003-2005. He has been invited to speak at international forums including the Japanese Government's "USA, Kyushu and Asia International Exchange Project" and as a keynote speaker at the 2009 Arabic Scripts Second Symposium in Abu Dhabi. His expertise is recognized through invitations to speak on knowledge management topics at conferences in Singapore. Dr. Poo has authored five books in the Information Technology area: "Enterprise JavaBeans for Students" (2014), "Object-Oriented Programming and Java" (1998, 2007), "Learn to Program Enterprise JavaBeans 3.0" (2009), "Learn to Program Java" (2009), and "Learn to Program Java User Interface".
Fred R. Volkmar, M.D., is the Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology at Yale University, and Director of the Yale Child Study Center. He also serves as Chief of Child Psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Hospital. His academic affiliations include the Yale School of Medicine and leadership roles in multiple clinical and research programs. Dr. Volkmar holds an M.D. from Stanford University (1976) and a psychology master’s degree from the same institution, alongside an undergraduate psychology degree from the University of Illinois (1972). He is renowned for authoring the DSM-IV autism and pervasive developmental disorders section and has authored hundreds of publications and several influential books, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Handbook of Autism . His research focuses on autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including diagnosis, treatment, comorbidities, and transition to adulthood. His publications emphasize evidence-based practices, neurodevelopmental mechanisms, and clinical guidelines. He leads initiatives in medical care for ASD populations and advocates for improved community support systems. Notable contributions include co-developing the M-CHAT screening tool and advancing interdisciplinary approaches to ASD management. His work intersects clinical practice, policy, and education, prioritizing patient-centered care and reducing stigma.
Dr. Thomas W. Britt is a Professor of Psychology at Clemson University and Editor-in-Chief of Military Psychology. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida (1994) and has served in the U.S. Army, including active duty at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and current service in the Army Reserves at the U.S. Army War College. His research focuses on employee resilience in high-stress occupations, mental health treatment-seeking barriers, and occupational health interventions. Key areas include resilience among military personnel, healthcare workers, and first responders. Britt has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and multiple books, with funding from the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. Education: Ph.D. Social Psychology, University of Florida (1994) M.A. General Psychology, Wake Forest University (1990) B.A. General Psychology, College of William and Mary (1988) Research Interests: Britt investigates factors promoting resilience in high-risk occupations, such as meaningful work, leadership support, and psychological hope. His work on healthcare workers during the pandemic examines fatigue and burnout using actigraphy. He also studies stigma-related barriers to mental health treatment in military and college student populations. A landmark 2010 DoD grant supported unit-level training to improve mental health treatment climates. Awards & Honors: 2023 Clemson University School of Health Research Fellowship 2014 APA Division 19 Fellowship 2015-2018 Trevillian Distinguished Professorship Grants & Interventions: Developed evidence-based LINKS training to reduce stigma around mental health treatment in military units. Collaborates on interventions for emergency medicine fatigue and physician well-being. His research has influenced Army return-to-duty protocols for injured soldiers. Labs & Collaborations: Part of interdisciplinary teams addressing pandemic healthcare worker strain and astronaut resilience in long-duration space missions. Active in multi-university studies on workaholism and economic resource impacts on family outcomes.
Lawton Robert Burns is the James Joo-Jin Kim Professor and Professor of Healthcare Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania . He serves as Co-Director of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management and Chairperson of the Health Care Systems Department since 2008. His career spans academic roles at the University of Chicago, University of Arizona, and University of Wisconsin. Education: PhD in Sociology, University of Chicago (1981) MBA in Health Administration, University of Chicago (1984) MA, University of Chicago (1976) BA, Haverford College (1973) Dr. Burns specializes in healthcare organization design , strategic change , and supply chain dynamics . His work examines hospital-physician relationships , integrated delivery systems , and market forces in healthcare. His recent publications analyze Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) , Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) , and strategic implementation failures. Notable awards include the Arthur Anderson Distinguished Visitor (2001), Edwin Crosby Memorial Fellowship (1992-93), and Udall Fellowship (1990-91). His research has been featured in Knowledge at Wharton , LDI News , and American Political Science Review . Dr. Burns co-authors works with experts like David Dranove and Stephen Shortell , focusing on clinical integration , retail supply chains , and global healthcare models (India, China).
Christina Youngmi Choi is a Professor in the School of Design at the Royal College of Art (RCA), specializing in emerging technologies, healthcare, and inclusive design. She holds a BFA and MA in Industrial Design from South Korea, followed by a MSc and PhD from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), where she also served as faculty, earning tenure and holding leadership roles such as Associate Chair and Director of the Graduate Program. Her research focuses on leveraging technology for assistive and inclusive design, emphasizing evidence-based and human-centered approaches. Key areas include usability assessment, assistive product design, and healthcare innovation. She has over 60 publications in journals, conferences, and books, with notable works exploring augmented reality in design and accessibility. Dr. Choi has led or contributed to significant grants, including the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (2016–22), and the NSF-funded Feasibility and Usability Assessment of an Intraoral Inconspicuous Control Surface (2013–16). Her work spans collaborations with industry partners like LG Electronics and Jeju Airlines, addressing challenges in healthcare, education, and consumer technology. Awards: Best Paper Award at AHFE 2022 Georgia Tech Teaching Excellence Recognition (multiple years) National Science Foundation Women of Excellence Award (2016) Her advising and grants highlight interdisciplinary projects, such as integrating traditional wood joinery into CNC manufacturing and developing user-friendly medical devices. She is an editorial board member of the Journal of User Experience and peer reviewer for multiple journals and conferences. Her work also addresses privacy in health technologies and medication adherence systems, reflecting a commitment to societal impact through design.
Dr. Elizabeth Linos is the Emma Bloomberg Associate Professor of Public Policy and Management at Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Faculty Director of The People Lab. Her work bridges behavioral science and public management to improve government operations and services. Prior roles include Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley, VP and Head of Research at Behavioral Insights Team North America, and policy advisor to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou Founded The People Lab (2017), which collaborates with government agencies to address real-time challenges Research focuses on government workforce recruitment, resident-state interactions, and evidence-based policymaking Her research explores behavioral interventions in public sector contexts, with significant contributions to understanding stigma in social programs , organizational inertia in evidence adoption , and intersectional workplace dynamics . Recent work investigates cost-effective nudge strategies for anti-poverty benefits and international healthcare recruitment . Notable scientific awards include the David N. Kershaw Award (2023), recognition as a top 10 local government influencer by ELGL, and inclusion in Apolitical's 100 most influential academics in government. Her sponsored projects address evidence adoption, healthcare recruitment, and benefits take-up barriers. She has served on advisory boards for the American Heart Association , OECD , and Democracy Forward Foundation , and her work has been featured in Nature Human Behaviour , Econometrica , and Harvard Business Review .
Anne Holland is Professor of Physiotherapy and Head of Respiratory Research at Monash University and Alfred Health in Melbourne, Australia. She is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow (2021–2025) and a Chief Investigator for the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis and the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Treatable Traits. Her research focuses on supportive therapies for chronic respiratory diseases, particularly COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, with a strong emphasis on pulmonary rehabilitation, telerehabilitation, and ambulatory oxygen therapy. Her research interests include: Respiratory physiotherapy Pulmonary rehabilitation (home-based and low-cost models) Access to care for chronic lung disease Telerehabilitation and digital health Symptom management in interstitial lung disease Exercise training and physical activity promotion Her recent publications focus on symptom management, digital self-management tools, treatable traits models, and clinical trials in pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. The body of work reflects a strong trend toward patient-centered, accessible, and evidence-based interventions that improve quality of life and clinical outcomes in chronic respiratory conditions. Her major scientific awards include: Society Medal, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (2021) European Respiratory Society Gold Medal for Allied Health Professionals (2022) NHMRC Investigator Fellow (Leadership 1) (2021) Fellow, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (2019) American Thoracic Society Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly Award (2016) Anne Holland supervises PhD students and is actively involved in advising and grant leadership. She is the Primary Chief Investigator on major trials such as the PERFORM trial and the TAPPET trial, and she leads a multinational ambulatory oxygen trial for fibrotic lung disease. Her work is supported by NHMRC and international collaborations. She is also President of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, reflecting her leadership in the field. Anne leads the Holland Respiratory Care Research Group at Monash, which focuses on innovative models of care delivery, validation of remote monitoring tools, and improving patient self-management in chronic lung disease. The team collaborates widely across Australia and internationally, particularly in trials involving pulmonary rehabilitation and treatable traits.
Michelle Doas is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Chatham University 's College of Health Sciences , where she has been actively contributing since 2007. Her expertise spans clinical nursing, education, and interdisciplinary research applications. Ed,D., MSN, BSN, RN Research Interests Dr. Doas focuses on critical thinking development in nursing education , adult literacy in healthcare , and reminiscence therapy . Her work bridges clinical practice with pedagogical innovation, exploring how techniques from service industries (e.g., Disney's hospitality model) can enhance patient satisfaction and communication in healthcare settings. Article Trends Her publications and presentations demonstrate a consistent emphasis on improving clinical outcomes through structured interventions like mind mapping for education, relaxation therapy for post-operative care, and concept mapping for knowledge organization. Key themes include patient safety , workplace culture , and interdisciplinary applications in nursing. Scientific Awards She is a member of the prestigious Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society , recognizing her contributions to nursing scholarship. Additional Contributions Dr. Doas has served on the Business Faculty Search Committee (2008) and presented on diverse topics such as food handling safety in environmental science contexts and nursing career advocacy at high school outreach events.
Stephen D. Hart is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University, with expertise in clinical-forensic psychology. His work focuses on assessment in criminal and civil settings, particularly violence risk and psychopathic personality disorder. He has also served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Bergen since 2000 and provides violence risk assessment and management services through Protect International Risk and Safety Services. Dr. Hart completed his education at the University of British Columbia, obtaining a BA in 1984, MA in 1987, and PhD in 1993. He began teaching at Simon Fraser University in 1990 and was appointed a regular faculty member in 1994. His primary research interest is clinical-forensic assessment, with specific focus on violence risk (including intimate partner violence, sexual violence, stalking, workplace violence, and terrorism) and psychopathic personality disorder. He co-developed the Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) approach to violence risk assessment and has co-authored numerous SPJ violence risk assessment guides including HCR-20, RSVP, SVR-20, SARA, B-SAFER, SAM, PATRIARCH, MLG, and EARLI. He also developed the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP) concept map with colleagues at Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Liverpool. His publication record shows consistent output with significant contributions to understanding violence risk assessment across cultures and settings, as evidenced by his work on cases like Ewert v. Canada. His recent publications focus on economic analysis of crime costs associated with psychopathic personality disorder, stalking recidivism, and online stalking behaviors. Distinguished Contributions Award, American Academy of Forensic Psychology (2019) Distinguished Achievement Award, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (2009) Career Achievement Award, Section on Clinical Emergencies and Crises (Section VII) of the Society of Clinical Psychology (2003) Jerome Fisher Memorial Lecture Award (2001) Saleem Shah Award for Early Career Research Excellence (1995) Dr. Hart has supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students at Simon Fraser University and other institutions, and has acted as external examiner for graduate students worldwide. His research has received substantial funding, enabling the development and validation of multiple assessment instruments that have become standards in forensic practice. He has also served as Editor of the Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, further demonstrating his leadership in the field. Dr. Hart leads or significantly contributes to research teams focused on violence risk assessment and psychopathy assessment, collaborating with international colleagues across multiple disciplines including psychology, psychiatry, criminology, and law. His work bridges academic research and practical application in forensic settings globally.
Briana Last is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Stony Brook University, specializing in Clinical Psychology. She holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania (2022) and focuses on improving mental health service accessibility and quality through interdisciplinary research. Her research emphasizes three core domains: social determinants of mental health, implementation strategies for service improvement, and structural factors influencing clinician decision-making. She employs mixed methods and community-based participatory approaches, prioritizing marginalized populations affected by systemic inequities. Key interests include behavioral health workforce development, policy analysis, and dismantling barriers to equitable mental healthcare. Her lab, the Mental Healthcare for All Lab, collaborates with governments, agencies, and clinicians to translate research into actionable policies. Notable projects address clinician burnout interventions, public mental health system gaps, and anti-transgender policy impacts. Recent work critiques scientifically unfounded bans on gender-affirming care and evaluates federal loan repayment programs for mental health workforce retention. Publications span topics like AI chatbots in mental health, state policy effects on LGBTQ+ populations, and trauma therapy implementation. Her work highlights how clinician work conditions directly shape patient care quality, advocating for systemic changes to enhance both provider well-being and patient outcomes.
Terese Johannessen serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Nursing Sciences at the University of Agder (UiA), Norway. Her academic work focuses on quality improvement, leadership development, and implementation science within healthcare settings, particularly in nursing homes and home care services. Dr. Johannessen's research primarily centers on understanding quality and safety in long-term care environments. Her work investigates contextual factors influencing healthcare quality, leadership interventions for improvement, and the conceptualization of 'quality' among healthcare providers. She employs qualitative methodologies to explore managers' experiences, implementation challenges, and the development of practical tools for frontline staff. Her research has significant implications for improving care delivery in nursing homes and home care services through evidence-based leadership approaches. Analysis of Dr. Johannessen's publication record reveals a strong thematic focus on the SAFE-LEAD project, a comprehensive research initiative examining leadership interventions for quality and safety in nursing homes and home care. Her work spans multiple dimensions including intervention design, implementation challenges, contextual mapping, and evaluation of leadership approaches across different healthcare settings. The research demonstrates a methodological preference for qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to capture the complex realities of healthcare improvement work. Dr. Johannessen collaborates extensively with researchers including Siri Wiig, Eline Ree, and Ingunn Aase, primarily through the SHARE Centre for Resilience in Healthcare at the University of Stavanger. Her work bridges academic research and practical application in healthcare settings, with significant contributions to understanding how quality improvement efforts can be effectively implemented in real-world contexts. Her research portfolio demonstrates consistent productivity with multiple publications annually, showing progression from foundational studies on contextual factors to the development and testing of specific leadership interventions. The SAFE-LEAD project represents a cohesive research program addressing critical challenges in long-term care quality and safety through systematic investigation and practical tool development.
David Wainwright is a Senior Lecturer in the Department for Health at the University of Bath, where he convenes the cross-faculty Work, Health and Wellbeing Research Group and serves as Director of Studies for Professional Doctorate in Health programmes. University of Bath, Department for Health Former affiliations: University of Kent (School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research), University of Bristol (Social Medicine Department, MRC Collaboration) Research Focus : Intersections of work, health, and wellbeing, emphasizing: Medicalization of occupational stress Extended working life and pension policy Psycho-social drivers of illness behavior Management of medically unexplained illnesses Recent Projects include: Behavior change interventions for extended working life (DWP-funded) Sickness certification for chronic pain Community-based support for intellectual disabilities Health seeking behavior among homeless populations Collaborations span healthcare policy, chronic pain research, and interdisciplinary studies with institutions like Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Trust and MRC Health Services Research Collaboration.
Nabil M Issa is a Professor in the Department of Surgery (Trauma and Critical Care) and Medical Education at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. He is a general and acute care surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, with a focus on minimally invasive techniques including robotic and laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Issa is also a Master Surgeon Educator and holds leadership roles in national surgical education organizations. Dr. Issa's educational background includes: MD: Al Mustansiriya University College of Medicine (1988) FRCS: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (1997) FACS: Fellow of the American Board of Surgery with additional qualification in Surgical Critical Care (2007) FCCM: Fellow of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (2007) MHPE: Master's in Health Professions Education, University of Illinois at Chicago (2016) Dr. Issa's research focuses on surgical education , particularly in creating innovative curricula and assessing technical and cognitive skills acquisition. His work spans simulation , team science , and outcome measures in trauma and critical care. He investigates evidence-based practices for surgeon credentialing and emphasizes patient education and quality improvement in acute care settings. His recent publications reflect a strong commitment to diversity in surgical training , trauma outcomes research , and sustainability in surgery . Dr. Issa examines disparities in fellowship training, morbidity in vulnerable populations, and the validation of injury severity metrics. His work bridges clinical care with educational innovation and systems-level improvements in surgical practice. Dr. Issa has received numerous honors and awards, including: Excellence in Teaching Award, Northwestern University Department of Surgery (2023) Professorship in Surgery, Northwestern University (2023) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, American College of Surgeons (2022) Member in the National Committee on Trauma (COT), American College of Surgeons (2022) Presidential Citation, Surgical Critical Care Program Directors Society (SCCPDS) (2021) Excellence in Teaching Award, Feinberg School of Medicine (2019) Best Trauma/SICU Teacher Award, Department of Emergency Medicine (2019) Presidential Citation, Surgical Infection Society (2012) Excellence in Teaching Award, Feinberg School of Medicine, Surgical Residency Program (2011) Excellence in Teaching Award, Northwestern University (2011) Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence, Feinberg School of Medicine (2011) Presidential Citation, Society of Critical Care Medicine (2010) Excellence in Teaching Award, Feinberg School of Medicine, Surgical Clerkship (2010) Excellence in Teaching Award, Feinberg School of Medicine, Surgical Residency Program (2010) Excellence in Teaching Award, Feinberg School of Medicine, Surgical Clerkship (2009) Excellence in Teaching Award, Feinberg School of Medicine, Surgical Residency Program (2009) Excellence in Teaching Award, Feinberg School of Medicine, Surgical Residency Program (2008) Dr. Issa serves as a faculty mentor for the Surgical Education Research Fellowship (SERF) and has held leadership roles in surgical education committees. His leadership includes: Chair, Association for Surgical Education (2024-Present) Co-chair, Association for Surgical Education (2023-Present) Chair, Development Committee at ASE (2019-Present) Member, Executive committee for ASE Foundation (2019-Present) Chair, Awards Committee- Association for Surgical Education-ASE (2018-Present) Vice President, Chicago Committee on Trauma (2015-Present) Dr. Issa has developed and leads simulation-based educational initiatives at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, focusing on acute care and surgical skills. He collaborates with multidisciplinary teams in trauma, critical care, and surgical education to design curricula that address the continuum of surgical training.
Maithilee Kunda is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University's School of Engineering. She leads the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Visual Analogical Systems and co-leads the Vanderbilt Initiative for Autism, Innovation, and the Workforce. Her research focuses on AI-driven cognitive systems, particularly visual reasoning and technology applications for neurodiverse populations, including autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Kunda holds a B.S. in Mathematics with Computer Science from MIT (2007) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Georgia Tech (2013). She was honored as an MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35 in 2016 for her groundbreaking work. Her research bridges computational models of visual thinking and real-world impact, emphasizing neurodiverse cognition. Notable projects include developing AI systems for autism-related social skills interventions, designing visual analogy problem-solving frameworks, and advancing nonverbal communication understanding in AI. Her work addresses challenges in abstract reasoning tasks (e.g., Raven's Matrices), visual imagery-based learning, and ethical AI integration. She advocates for inclusive technology design, leveraging both generative AI and cognitive principles to create human-centered solutions. Key awards: MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35 (2016) Her labs focus on practical AI applications for education, healthcare, and workforce development, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering, psychology, and neuroscience.
