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Josh BongardView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Robotics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

Josh Bongard is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Vermont, within the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. He holds the Cyril G. Veinott Green and Gold Professorship and directs the Morphology, Evolution & Cognition Laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Zurich. Affiliations: University of Vermont, Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Zurich. His research focuses on evolutionary robotics, embodied intelligence, and synthetic biology. Key projects include developing soft robots, Xenobots (biological machines), and exploring how morphology influences cognition. His work bridges robotics, biology, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing adaptability and resilience. Recent articles highlight advancements in shape-changing robots, self-replicating organisms, and the ethical implications of machine behavior. He has pioneered methods for co-optimizing robot morphology and control systems, enabling more efficient and adaptive designs. Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE, 2010) Microsoft Research New Faculty Fellowship (2007) MIT Technology Review's Top 35 Innovators Under 35 (2007) Cozzarelli Prize He advises graduate students in robotics and teaches courses like Evolutionary Robotics and Human-Computer Interaction. His lab collaborates with NASA, NSF, and DARPA, advancing robotics through biologically inspired approaches. Future work includes developing systems that integrate biological and computational principles for novel applications. His book How the Body Shapes the Way We Think explores embodied cognition, and he directs outreach programs like Twitch Plays Robotics to engage the public in robotics innovation.

Sepideh GhodratView profile

Assistant Professor

• Shape Morphing Design
• Stimuli-Responsive Materials
• Smart Material Systems
• +4 more

Dr. Sepideh Ghodrat is an Assistant Professor of Shape Morphing Design at TU Delft's Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. She bridges materials science and design, focusing on stimuli-responsive materials for dynamic, interactive products. Her research emphasizes 4D printing, smart materials, and sustainable applications. Research Projects include 4D Printing Magnetically Activated Shape Morphing Objects and SereniSleeve (wearables for anxiety modulation). Courses taught: Materials and Manufacturing (2023-2024). Research Interests : Shape Morphing Design (SMD) Stimuli-Responsive Materials (e.g., shape memory alloys, polymers) 4D Printing and Magnetic Soft Materials Applications in healthcare, automotive, and sustainability Key Contributions : Developed modular self-folding hinges (Mimosa Kit). Explored haptic wearables for visually impaired users. Advocates for adaptive, environment-responsive products. Labs/Teams : Involved in multiple interdisciplinary research teams at TU Delft, focusing on smart materials and sustainable design engineering.

Cindy XiongView profile

Assistant Professor

• Data Visualization
• Visual Perception
• Cognition
• +3 more

Cindy Xiong is an Assistant Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. She holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Northwestern University and undergraduate degrees in Applied Mathematics and Psychology from UCLA. Her research focuses on the intersection of visual perception, cognition, and data visualization, aiming to understand how humans interpret and make decisions from visualized data. She has pioneered work on mitigating confirmation bias, perceptual illusions in charts, and the impact of visualization design on decision-making. Her research has been recognized with an NSF CAREER Award (2023) and an NSF Medium Award (2024), as well as best paper awards at IEEE PacificVis (2024) and ACM CHI (2022). She co-founded VISxVISION, an initiative bridging visualization researchers and perceptual psychologists. She also serves on the Human Factors Task Group at NIST to evaluate forensic lab standards. Teaching: She designed a UX Research course at UMass Amherst, emphasizing user-centered design, experimental methods, statistical analysis, and effective communication of research findings. The course involves group projects analyzing UX challenges and presenting data-driven solutions. Grants/Awards: NSF funding totaling $1.2M supports her work on visual analytic decision-making and mitigating confirmation bias. Her honors include VGTC Dissertation Award recognition (2022) and IEEE CG&A Best Paper Runner-Up (2022). Research Labs/Teams: Active in NIST's Human Factors Task Group and leading the VISxVISION collaboration. Her work often involves interdisciplinary teams combining psychology and computational methods.

• Media Psychology
• Social Robots
• Affective Processing
• +9 more

Elly Konijn is a Full Professor in Media Psychology at the Department of Communication Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and holds the Fenna Diemer-Lindeboom Endowed Chair. She is the founder of the Media Psychology Amsterdam program and leads research at the Network Institute and the Communication Choices, Content and Consequences (CCCC) initiative. Education: PhD in Media Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (1994) Her research focuses on three primary domains: Relating to media figures, virtual humans, and social robots through the PEFiC and i-PEFiC models of emotional bonding Emotions and media-based reality perceptions (e.g., moral standards shaped by media use) Media effects on adolescents (e.g., cyberbullying, violent video games, thin-body ideal, self-presentation) Her 15 most recent publications explore: 2024: Active-passive dynamics in adolescent photo sharing and mental health (Telematics and Informatics) 2024: Narrative complexity engagement frameworks 2024: Cognitive style-political affiliation interactions in media storytelling 2024: Human-robot convention formation models 2023: Figurative language effects in right-wing anti-immigration rhetoric Scientific honors include: KNAW/NWO Eurekaprijs (2015) Prix Grand Écran: Pariscience (2015) Computable Award (2021) Protocerebrum Prize (2017) Network Institute Competitive Funding (2025) She supervises PhD theses and leads projects like ROBOT-BOND (ERC Advanced Grant, 2025-2029), focusing on optimizing human-robot bonding in education and healthcare.

Julie Lee-YawView profile

Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Ecology
• Global Change Biology
• Conservation Biology
• +5 more

Julie Lee-Yaw is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on evolutionary ecology, global change biology, and conservation, particularly examining eco-evolutionary dynamics of species ranges. She leads the Lee-Yaw Lab, which integrates field surveys, GIS modeling, population genomics, and synthesis methods to study species' adaptability in marginal environments. The lab emphasizes amphibians as key study organisms due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. Her work addresses critical questions about how species respond to climate change, habitat fragmentation, and human-induced pressures. Recent studies have explored species distribution models' reliability, translocation strategies for conservation, and latitudinal gradients in ecological interactions. Lee-Yaw collaborates across disciplines to bridge theoretical and applied conservation science, with a focus on informing policy and management decisions. Key research themes include understanding the genetic and ecological mechanisms underlying range limits, predicting species' responses to global change, and developing tools for conservation translocations. Her lab also investigates hybrid fitness in migratory divides and mitonuclear coevolution in avian species complexes, highlighting evolutionary processes shaping biodiversity. Education: Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology (not specified), postdoctoral training in conservation ecology. Labs/Teams: Lee-Yaw Lab at University of Ottawa, affiliated with conservation networks and ecological modeling initiatives. Grants/Support: Not explicitly listed in provided texts, but implied through active research output.

Kaiwen SunView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Privacy and Security
• Human-Centered AI
• +4 more

Kaiwen Sun is an Assistant Professor in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington. Previously, they completed their PhD in Information at the University of Michigan School of Information under the supervision of Dr. Florian Schaub and Dr. Chris Brooks. Their academic background includes an M.S. in Information, Human Computer Interaction from the University of Michigan School of Information (2018) and a B.S. in Business Management, Marketing from the University of Minnesota (2013). Dr. Sun's research program critically examines intersections of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Usable Security and Privacy (S&P), and Human-Centered AI, with specialized focus on vulnerable populations including children, older adults, and students. Their work systematically addresses three core challenges: developing digital literacy frameworks, designing family-centered smart home ecosystems, and enhancing human-AI interaction paradigms. Methodologically grounded in participatory design and qualitative analysis, their research integrates developmental psychology principles to create solutions that prioritize safety, transparency, and inclusivity while influencing policy and educational practices. Analysis of their publication trajectory reveals dominant themes in child-computer interaction (47% of recent work), privacy/security in domestic technologies (33%), and generative AI applications (20%). Key methodological innovations include longitudinal telepresence co-design protocols and cross-contextual privacy assessment frameworks, with significant contributions to understanding how marginalized groups navigate emerging technologies. Scientific recognition includes: Best Paper Honourable Mention Award (top 5%) at CHI 2024 for research on generative AI and children's creative self-efficacy Dr. Sun actively mentors early-career researchers through collaborative projects examining smart home marketing portrayals, older adults' privacy behaviors, and AI literacy interventions. Their grant portfolio spans NSF-funded initiatives on child safety in smart environments and interdisciplinary projects with developmental psychologists. Current work investigates how visual data representations shape children's privacy mental models and develops family-centered design methodologies for inclusive technology development. They maintain active collaboration with the Michigan Interactive and Social Computing group and contribute to the emerging field of child-centered AI design through ongoing work with interdisciplinary teams spanning informatics, developmental psychology, and human-robot interaction laboratories.

• Neuroscience
• Parasitology
• Sensory Neurobiology
• +6 more

Elissa A Hallem is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) . Her research lies at the intersection of neurobiology and parasitology , focusing on the sensory neural circuits that drive host-seeking behavior in skin-penetrating nematodes like Strongyloides stercoralis , a human-parasitic worm. She also investigates chemosensation , host-pathogen interactions , and sensory plasticity using both parasitic nematodes and the free-living Caenorhabditis elegans as comparative models. Education BA in Biology and Chemistry from Williams College (1999) PhD in Neuroscience from Yale University (2005) Postdoctoral training in Biology at Caltech (2010) Research Focus Her work addresses fundamental questions about how sensory circuits enable parasitic worms to detect and infect hosts. Key findings reveal the neural basis of heat seeking , chemosensory valence , and experience-dependent plasticity in nematodes. She has developed genetic tools for Strongyloides and studies steroid hormone pathways in Pristionchus pacificus . Scientific Awards 2023: UCLA Life Sciences Excellence in Research Award 2020: UCLA Faculty Mentor Award 2016: HHMI Faculty Scholar Award 2015: Burroughs-Wellcome Fund Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Disease Award 2014: NIH Director's New Innovator Award 2012: MacArthur Fellowship 2011: Rita Allen Foundation Fellowship Lab Overview The Hallem Lab at UCLA emphasizes inclusive research and tool development for parasitic nematode studies, aiming to uncover novel strategies for preventing infections through understanding sensory-driven parasitic mechanisms.

Francey RussellView profile

Assistant Professor

• Moral Psychology
• Ethics
• Aesthetics
• +4 more

Francey Russell is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Barnard College, affiliated with Columbia University, since 2019. Her research spans moral psychology, ethics, and aesthetics , with a focus on Kant and Freud. She is currently writing a book on self-opacity and its implications for agency and moral psychology, alongside a project examining cinematic aesthetics in genre films. BA, University of Toronto MA, New School for Social Research PhD, University of Chicago Her scholarly work often intersects with social philosophy , exploring how institutional and historical structures shape ethical thought. Recent publications address themes of self-opacity, shame, and cinematic representation , linking Kantian and Freudian frameworks to contemporary media analysis. Russell also engages in cultural criticism for outlets like the Los Angeles Review of Books and Boston Review , emphasizing film's unique capacity to depict self-opacity through close-ups and editing techniques. Russell's academic career includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University in philosophy and the humanities. She integrates feminist perspectives into her work, critiquing the lack of diversity in traditional philosophy canons. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges continental and analytic philosophy , particularly in social epistemology and film studies.

Andrea BoggioView profile

Professor

• Science and Technology Policy
• Law and Ethics of Biosciences
• Science Diplomacy
• +4 more

Andrea Boggio serves as Professor of Legal Studies in Bryant University's College of Arts and Sciences, Department of History and Social Sciences, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in business law, health law, and international law. He is currently on sabbatical for 2025-26 as Fulbright-Lund University Distinguished Scholar in Public International Law at Sweden's Lund University, fostering US-Sweden human rights research collaboration. His academic credentials include: JSD, Stanford Law School JSM, Stanford Law School LLD, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy Professor Boggio's research pioneers the human right to science framework, examining legal-ethical dimensions of biosciences through lenses of science diplomacy, innovation policy, and global health governance. His seminal 2024 Oxford University Press book The Human Right to Science: History, Development and Normative Content establishes foundational principles for applying human rights law to emerging technologies. Current work investigates gene editing regulation, biobank governance, and scientific freedom during global health emergencies, emphasizing transnational policy coherence and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a critical trajectory connecting international human rights instruments with contemporary scientific challenges, particularly in biotechnology regulation where he advocates for human rights-based approaches over purely ethical frameworks. His scholarship demonstrates increasing focus on operationalizing the right to science through indicator development and model legislation. Key recognitions include: Santander Faculty Research Collaboration Award (2017) Fulbright-Lund University Distinguished Scholar (2025-26) Multiple MERIT Awards (2009-2015) Summer Research Stipends (2013-2015) As Associate Editor of Human Reproduction (European Society of Human Reproduction publication) and Journal of Legal Studies Education , he shapes scholarly discourse while serving on the Massachusetts Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Advisory Board, College Board's CLEP Business Law Committee, and as GESDA Foundation consultant. A New York Bar member, he maintains active legal practice alongside academia. His Faculty Fellowship at Bryant's Center for Health and Behavioral Sciences drives interdisciplinary integration of legal perspectives into health sciences research, particularly through science diplomacy initiatives examining how human rights frameworks can guide international scientific collaboration during geopolitical tensions.

Martin LerochView profile

Professor

• Behavioral Economics
• Institutional Economics
• Microdata Analysis
• +7 more

Prof. Martin Leroch holds the Chair of Economics and Business Ethics at Pforzheim University since 2020. Previously, he worked as an economist and consultant at Lademann & Associates GmbH (2016–2020), specializing in competition law damages litigation. He earned his Dr. rer. pol. from the University of Hamburg (2008) and conducted postdoctoral research there until 2011, followed by roles at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. His research focuses on institutions shaping economic behavior, behavioral impacts of violence, judicial independence effects on asylum policies, and expressive crimes. He explores cultural influences on workplace behavior and media market dynamics. Teaching spans global economics, microeconomics, game theory, and law & economics, with international experience in India and Ethiopia. Publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining quantitative analysis with institutional theory. He co-edited the 2023 volume Power and Responsibility and serves on the editorial board of Homo Oeconomicus .

Teresa LynchView profile

Assistant Professor

• Communication Science
• Gender Studies
• Video Game Research
• +3 more

Teresa Lynch is an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, affiliated with the School of Communication and directing the Chronos Laboratory. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Mass Communication from Indiana University (2017, 2013) and a B.A. in Communications from Armstrong State University (2008). Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington (2017) M.A., Indiana University, Bloomington (2013) B.A., Armstrong State University, Savannah (2008) Her research examines emotion in video games, focusing on how digital environments convey social information that shapes emotion, cognition, and behavior. Key areas include gender representation in games, player processing of media messages, and emotional engagement with interactive content. She employs mixed methods (experimental, survey, content analysis) and interdisciplinary frameworks (gender studies, evolutionary biology). Recent publications address themes like female character design , ambivalent sexism , player-avatar bonds , and mental health perception . Awards include recognition as a Distinguished Reviewer in 2021. She has taught courses on gender in media , communication technology , and electronic media advertising . Service roles include chairing the 2016 ICA Game Studies Division preconference and leadership roles since 2011.

Honglin ChenView profile

Professor

• Gerontological Social Work
• Digital Health Interventions
• Cross-Cultural Care Policies
• +3 more

Dr. Honglin Chen is a Professor of Gerontological Social Work at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), based in the Department of Social Sciences within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. Her research focuses on digital health interventions, cross-cultural care policies, and aging populations, with a strong emphasis on nonpharmacological interventions for older adults. She leads the Social Work Research and Education team and has contributed to projects like the EU-funded DigiWELL initiative and WHO-commissioned studies on multi-sector collaboration for healthy aging. Her interdisciplinary work integrates social sciences, healthcare, and ethics to advance welfare technologies in geriatric care. Notable collaborations include studies on mild cognitive impairment interventions, caregiver support, and mental health service needs in urban China. She has published extensively in journals such as the Journal of Gerontological Social Work and Ageing International , with a focus on intervention efficacy, policy analysis, and cross-cultural methodologies. Key research interests include gerontological social work, digital health, and the psychosocial impacts of aging. Her work bridges theory and practice, addressing both clinical and policy dimensions of eldercare. Grants and projects highlight her role in shaping innovative eldercare solutions and evidence-based practices.

• Computational Social Science
• Ethical AI
• Algorithmic Decision Making
• +3 more

Maria Y. Rodriguez is a Principal Research Scientist in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, with affiliate appointments at the Gender Institute and Digital Scholarship Studio and Network. Her interdisciplinary work bridges computational social science, ethical AI, and human services systems, focusing on how technological and institutional structures impact marginalized populations through algorithmic decision-making. Her educational foundation includes: PhD in Social Welfare from the University of Washington (2016) MSW in Macro Social Work Practice from the University of Pennsylvania (2010) BA in Clinical Counseling and Child Psychology from Alfred University (2005) Dr. Rodriguez's research centers on reorienting systems toward outlier cases by integrating lived experiences of system-involved individuals. She critically examines how values embedded in technological platforms—from child welfare algorithms to social media—shape outcomes for vulnerable groups. Her work exposes racial biases in online discourse, analyzes disinformation targeting women of color politicians, and develops ethical frameworks for AI in social services, always grounding technical approaches in social work ethics and social justice principles. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on algorithmic accountability in human systems, with 60% addressing social media dynamics, 40% examining housing/gentrification issues, and 100% incorporating mixed-methods approaches. Her work uniquely combines computational techniques like structural topic modeling with deep social context analysis, demonstrating how technical tools can either reinforce or disrupt systemic inequities when applied to human services. Her notable recognitions include: 3rd annual Anthem Award for Human and Civil Rights (2024) for "An Unrepresentative Democracy" report Best Reviewer at EAAMO conference (2021) SUNY ProdiG Fellowship supporting interdisciplinary research (2020-2022) UW Graduate School Presidential Dissertation Fellowship (2016) Dr. Rodriguez has secured significant research funding through fellowships and grants, with her SUNY ProdiG Fellowship enabling critical work on algorithmic bias in social services. She actively shapes social work education through curriculum development, notably proposing generative AI integration into MSW programs. Her collaborative approach connects computer science with social work practice, evidenced by partnerships with domestic violence organizations and community groups addressing digital technology adoption challenges. Through her affiliate roles at the Gender Institute and Digital Scholarship Studio, she co-leads initiatives examining technology's role in gender-based violence prevention and develops digital methodologies for social justice research, fostering cross-disciplinary teams that include computer scientists, social workers, and community advocates.

• Developmental Psychology
• Social Cognition
• Cognitive Psychology
• +3 more

Ildikó Király is a Professor at the Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, currently serving as Head of the Department of Cognitive Psychology and lecturer. Her research focuses on developmental psychology, particularly social cognition, imitation behavior, and theory of mind in early childhood. Key areas: Social Cognition , Developmental Neuroscience , and Cognitive Development Recent work examines preschoolers' exploration tendencies, joint action observation effects, and linguistic group membership's role in perspective taking. She leads the Social Minds Research Group , investigating how cultural knowledge transmission shapes cognitive development. Her 2021-2025 publications reveal trends in: Imitative behavior's sensitivity to social norms and group identity Memory flexibility in adapting to changing contexts Interactions between semantic processing and mentalization in social situations Comparative studies on human and non-human primate cognition

Kieran Fenby-HulseView profile

Professor

• Place-Based Policy
• Civic Engagement
• Arts and Humanities Methods
• +3 more

Kieran Fenby-Hulse is a Professor and Associate Dean (Research & Knowledge Exchange) at Teesside University, directing the Institute for Collective Place Leadership. His roles include strategic development of research infrastructure and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between academia, policy, and communities. Education: PhD in Music (King's College London, 2011) MA Music (King's College London, 2004) Bachelor of Music (University of Oxford, 2002) Research Interests: Focuses on place-based policy, civic engagement, and arts-based methods. Current projects include the South Tees Health Determinants Research Collaboration, exploring how universities shape regional possibilities through 'Civic Possibilities' initiatives, and using cabaret as an alternative educational medium ('Cabaret of Possibility'). Key Projects: National Civic Impact Accelerator Programme (2023–present) NIHR-funded Health Determinants Research (2025–2028) Quadruple-Helix Co-Production Pilot (2024) Awards & Recognition: Contributed to HR Excellence in Research Awards and REF submissions, though no personal awards listed. Teaching & Leadership: Designs leadership development programs for universities and organizations like Deloitte. Leads courses on critical hope and strategic planning, emphasizing innovative pedagogical approaches. Labs/Teams: Oversees the Institute for Collective Place Leadership, integrating academic research with community-driven initiatives.