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Alison Wishard GuerraView profile

Associate Professor

• Early Childhood Development
• Cultural Studies
• Language Development
• +4 more

Alison Wishard Guerra is an Associate Professor in the Education Studies department at the University of California, San Diego. Her research focuses on culture and development in early childhood, particularly among Latino children from low-income backgrounds. She investigates how social relationships, immigration experiences, and cultural practices influence cognitive and social development. Dr. Guerra is affiliated with the National Early Head Start Research Consortium and contributed to California's Preschool Learning Foundations. She teaches courses on early childhood education, cognitive development, and research methods. She has received the Hellman Foundation Fellowship and multiple UC Links grants. Education : BA in Psychology and Latin American Studies, UC Santa Cruz MA and PhD in Education (Applied Developmental Psychology), UCLA Research Interests : Dr. Guerra's work examines protective factors for at-risk children, including social pretend play and family dynamics. She explores how acculturation processes and bilingualism shape developmental outcomes. Her current research investigates the role of peer interaction and narrative development in school readiness among Mexican heritage children. Awards : 2009-2010 Hellman Foundation Fellow 2009-2011 and 2011-2013 UC Links Grants Teaching and Service : Courses include early childhood education, cognitive development theories, and curriculum design. She has served as an expert reviewer for California's educational frameworks and actively contributes to policy-related research. Labs/Teams : Collaborates with the National Early Head Start Research Consortium and UCSD's education research initiatives.

Catherine Tamis-LeMondaView profile

Professor

• Developmental Psychology
• Child Development
• Early Childhood Education
• +3 more

Catherine Tamis-LeMonda is a Professor of Applied Psychology at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She leads the Play and Language Lab, focusing on infant and toddler learning in diverse cultural contexts. Her work examines developmental cascades, language acquisition, play behaviors, and parent-child interactions. She investigates how socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds influence learning trajectories through longitudinal studies, observational methods, and cross-cultural analyses. Research Interests: Developmental cascades linking language, play, and motor skills Cultural variations in parenting practices (e.g., Latine, Chinese, and Tajikistani families) Early math and spatial cognition Parenting roles of fathers and mothers Open science methodologies in developmental research Her articles emphasize real-world contexts, such as home environments and everyday routines, to understand how infants’ actions and parental inputs co-construct learning. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and has contributed to policy-relevant insights on low-income families and dual-language learners. Labs/Teams: Director of the Play and Language Lab at NYU Steinhardt, collaborating with global researchers on cross-cultural developmental studies.

• Maternal and Child Health
• Public Health Informatics
• Online Public Health Training
• +7 more

John T Richards is a Professor on the Research Track in the Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He serves as Executive Director of the National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH) and Lead of the Health Information Group, where he oversees major federally funded public health training initiatives and digital library development. His research focuses on advancing maternal and child health through innovative online education systems, digital libraries, and data-driven training platforms. Key areas include public health informatics, cultural and linguistic competence, life course health, and interagency coordination between Title V and Medicaid programs. He has led the development of landmark curricula such as Well-Child Care: A Bright Futures Curriculum and the Safe Sleep Learning Site . His recent publications reflect a strong trend in digital public health education, competency-based training, and health equity. The articles span topics from mental health integration to assistive technology and interagency policy coordination, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach to strengthening the MCH workforce and systems. MCHB Director's Award (2023) Young Leadership Award from HRSA (2010) Georgetown University President’s Award (2015) Distinguished Investigator at Georgetown University Mr. Richards has served as Principal Investigator on numerous federal grants and provides technical assistance to states on MCH-Medicaid coordination. He lectures at both Georgetown University and American University, contributing to workforce development and policy education. He is actively involved in national advisory groups, including MCHB workgroups on performance measures, cultural competence, and life course perspectives. He leads the MCH Digital Library, a major national resource, and coordinates technology across Georgetown’s campuses. His work through the Health Information Group has established a robust infrastructure for online learning and knowledge dissemination in maternal and child health.

• Mental Health Nursing
• Nursing Education
• Empathy Development in Healthcare Students
• +7 more

Fiona Orr is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing & Midwifery, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle Campus. She is also an International Student Advisor and actively contributes to nursing education and mental health research. Her academic background includes a PhD, MLitt, and BHSc in Nursing, and she is a registered nurse (RN). Her research and teaching focus on mental health nursing , empathy development , recovery-oriented practices , and simulation-based education . She champions the inclusion of experts by lived experience in curriculum design, particularly in mental health and substance use education. Her recent scholarly work centers on co-produced learning, virtual simulations, empathy training (including the Virtual Empathy Museum), and interventions for students and clinicians working with people experiencing voice-hearing or functional neurological disorder. Her publications span high-impact journals in nursing, mental health, and education. She has received multiple national teaching awards, including two Australian Awards for University Teaching Citations, recognizing her innovative and impactful contributions to student learning. Additional honors include UTS Teaching Awards and Best Poster recognition at international conferences. Australian Award University Teaching Citation (2022) VCs Learning and Teaching Citation (2021), UTS Health Dean’s Academic Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (2019), UTS Best Conference Poster (2019), International Clinical Skills Conference Australian Award Universities Teaching Citation (2015) Fiona Orr has co-supervised two PhD students and an Honours student to completion and is currently supervising a PhD candidate. She has secured institutional and national recognition for her teaching innovations, particularly those involving simulation and consumer collaboration. She is a Board Director and Governance Committee member of TheMHS (Mental Health Services Learning Network), demonstrating leadership beyond the university. She is involved in interdisciplinary research linking horticulture therapy, biophilic design, and mental well-being, as seen in her work on rooftop gardening programs. Her work bridges clinical practice, education, and policy, with a strong commitment to improving mental health care through empathetic, evidence-based, and co-designed approaches.

• Developmental Psychology
• Child Development
• Learning Mechanisms
• +6 more

Rachel F. Barr is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Georgetown University. Her research focuses on developmental psychology, particularly learning and memory mechanisms in infancy and early childhood. She directs the Georgetown Early Learning Project (ELP), examining how children under five learn from multiple sources, including bilingual exposure, parent-child interactions, and media engagement. Dr. Barr holds a Ph.D. and B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Otago. Her work emphasizes the cognitive and social impacts of digital media on young children, including sleep patterns, language development, and emotional regulation. She has pioneered studies on video chat interactions between grandparents and grandchildren during the pandemic, highlighting technology’s role in maintaining family connections. Key areas of interest include problematic media use, technoference in parenting, and the validation of tools like the Joint Media Engagement Scale (JMES). Dr. Barr’s research spans cross-cultural studies, analyzing media exposure across countries such as Canada, the U.S., Israel, Sweden, and New Zealand. She explores how policy and parental resources influence child development in digital contexts. Recent projects address parental burnout, screen time motivations, and the interplay between media use and child temperamental traits. Her contributions include over 150 publications on media effects, bilingualism, and early learning. She actively advocates for equitable access to digital tools and evidence-based guidelines for families and policymakers. Labs/Teams: Georgetown Early Learning Project (ELP). Mentoring: No specific advisees listed in provided text.

Hilary BrowneView profile

Research Fellow

• Gut Microbiota Ecology
• Anaerobic Microbiology
• Bacterial Spore Formation
• +3 more

Dr. Hilary Browne is a Research Fellow at the School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland at University College Cork (UCC). He holds a PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, with prior roles at the Wellcome Sanger Institute including Staff Scientist and Senior Staff Scientist. His research focuses on gut microbiota adaptations, particularly the role of bacterial spore formation in transmission and colonization. He leads a team using anaerobic microbiology, genomics, and metagenomics to study spore-forming bacteria's metabolic properties and genetic architecture. Dr. Browne's academic journey includes a BSc in Agricultural Science (UCD) and MSc in Biotechnology (UCC). He was awarded the Garnham Award for doctoral research in basic laboratory science. In 2023, he secured an ERC Starter Grant to establish his independent research group, advancing translational microbiome research. His research explores mechanisms enabling gut bacteria to survive host transitions, with implications for probiotic development and therapeutic delivery. Key areas include spore-mediated survival strategies, microbiome assembly in infants, and antibiotic resistance dynamics in human microbiota. Dr. Browne contributes to global health initiatives through collaborations like the CHAIN network, focusing on child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa using multi-omics approaches. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with clinical applications, emphasizing the microbiome's role in health and disease.

Henrike MollView profile

Professor

• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Development
• Shared Intentionality
• +5 more

Henrike Moll is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern California (USC), cross-appointed to Philosophy. She leads the Minds in Development Lab, focusing on infants' and young children's cognitive growth through social interaction, particularly shared intentionality and perspective awareness. Her work integrates developmental psychology with philosophy of mind and education. Moll holds a PhD from the University of Leipzig and has held research positions at the Max Planck Institute and the University of Washington. She has been funded by major foundations including the Spencer Foundation, Templeton Foundation, and Volkswagen Foundation. Research Interests: Ontogeny of social cognition (e.g., teaching, perspective-taking) Cultural evolution mechanisms Philosophical anthropology Human uniqueness in relational cognition Key Contributions: Pioneered studies on children’s pedagogical competence and knowledge transmission Developed the ‘Transformative Cultural Intelligence’ hypothesis Advanced interdisciplinary frameworks linking philosophy and empirical child development Funding & Recognition: Spencer Foundation Midcareer Grant ($149K, 2017) Joseph B. Gittler Award (2023) Templeton Fellowship (2015–2016) Over $1M in grants from NSF, ONR, and private foundations Labs & Teams: Director of USC’s Minds in Development Lab, collaborating with philosophers (e.g., Andrea Kern), cognitive scientists, and education researchers.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Sensory Processing
• Developmental Disabilities
• +3 more

Grace Baranek, PhD, is the Associate Dean and Chair of the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, holding the endowed title of Mrs. T.H. Chan Professor. She is an internationally recognized expert in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly focusing on sensory features in children with ASD. Her research spans over three decades, emphasizing early detection, intervention, and developmental mechanisms of sensory and behavioral traits in ASD. Dr. Baranek earned her B.S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois and her M.A. and PhD in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her career includes leading the NIH-funded Sensory Experiences Project (2003–2013), totaling $4.5M, which investigated sensory features in ASD. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers and co-developed the First Years Inventory (FYI), a screening tool for early ASD identification. Dr. Baranek has held leadership roles in national organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and NIH working groups, advocating for evidence-based practices in ASD care. Her research interests include sensory processing abnormalities in ASD, early intervention strategies, and translational research to bridge clinical practice with scientific discovery. Key grants include NIH/NICHD, Department of Defense, and Autism Speaks Foundation awards. Awards include the AOTA Cordelia Myers Award (2016), AOTF A. Jean Ayres Award (2008), and Fellow of INSAR (2022). Grants: NIH/NICHD, DOD, Autism Speaks, AOTA. Lab/Teams: Sensory Experiences Research Group, Early Detection & Intervention Lab.

Mitchell TravisView profile

Associate Professor

• Intersex
• Embodiment
• Vulnerability
• +6 more

Dr. Mitchell Travis is an Associate Professor in Law and Social Justice at the University of Leeds' School of Law, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in Law from Keele University and previously taught at the University of Exeter. His research focuses on intersex embodiment, vulnerability, legal personhood, and feminist legal theory, with a particular interest in science fiction as a legal imaginary. He directs the LLM in Law and Social Justice and teaches modules on Gender and the Law, Foundations of Law, and Inequalities, Law and Justice. His research projects include evaluating Malta's Gender Identity Act and its impact on intersex infants' bodily integrity. Key interests include challenging medical pathologization of intersex variations, exploring cultural awareness of intersex issues, and analyzing legal frameworks beyond identity categories. He also examines dystopian jurisprudence and the role of science fiction in shaping legal imaginaries. Travis has contributed to numerous interdisciplinary studies on intersex activism, medical ethics, and the scalar limitations of international law. His work bridges legal theory with cultural studies, emphasizing resilience-building through law and policy. He currently advises on modules that integrate professional ethics through popular culture and advocates for inclusive legal frameworks that address intersectional vulnerabilities.

Amy ProsserView profile

Research Fellow

• Immunology
• Solid Organ Transplantation
• Tissue-resident Lymphocytes
• +3 more

Dr Amy Prosser is a Research Fellow at the UWA Medical School, specializing in solid organ transplantation immunology. Her work focuses on tissue-resident lymphocytes' roles in transplantation, infection, and cancer, aiming to improve patient outcomes. She completed her PhD at The University of Western Australia (2022) and has contributed to over 70 publications, including peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations. Her research collaborates with PathWest, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and Telethon Kids Institute. Education: PhD in Immunology (UWA, 2022), BSc(Hons) in Biotechnology (Murdoch University, 2006). Awards: Honourable mention on the Dean’s List (PhD work), competitive awards for presentations and science communication. Grants: Leading three active projects including identifying immune response proteins and devising transplant tolerance strategies. Peer Review: Actively reviews for journals like Nature Communications and Scientific Reports . Key Collaborations: Cross-institutional partnerships in Perth, integrating clinical and research teams to advance transplantation science.

• Immunology
• Clinical Sciences
• Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
• +3 more

Beth Holder is a Senior Lecturer in Maternal and Fetal Health at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine, within the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction. She leads the 'Bumps to Babies' module of the MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Biology and serves as deputy co-director of the program. Her research focuses on immunological interactions in pregnancy, particularly involving extracellular vesicles and placental biology. Holder holds affiliations with the Section of Pregnancy, Parturition and Prematurity; the Centre for Paediatrics and Child Health; the Organ-on-chip Network of Excellence; and the Vaccine Research Network. Education includes a PhD from The University of Manchester (2010) investigating placental immune signaling, followed by postdoctoral work at King's College London and Imperial College. Her career progression includes a Lectureship position since 2019, supported by a Newlife Foundation grant enabling her to establish an independent research group focusing on maternal immunization and feto-placental immunity. Research interests span maternal-fetal immunology, placental extracellular vesicles, CMV infection during pregnancy, and vaccine efficacy in pregnancy. Key methods include in vitro immune cell assays and translational studies linking basic science to clinical outcomes. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, though her work has received grant funding for innovation in maternal health research. Professional activities include leadership roles in graduate education and collaborative networks. Current research emphasizes placental messaging mechanisms and strategies to enhance maternal vaccination programs in diverse populations.

Anne FultonView profile

Professor

• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Retinal Degeneration
• Genetic Eye Disorders
• +3 more

Anne B. Fulton, MD, is a Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Pediatric Medical Retinal Service at Boston Children's Hospital. She holds dual roles in clinical practice and research, focusing on pediatric ophthalmology and retinal disorders. Her affiliations include the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard and leadership in the Precision Medicine Service. Dr. Fulton earned her MD from Tufts University School of Medicine, followed by residency at Yale University School of Medicine. Her research emphasizes retinal development, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and genetic eye disorders. She pioneered non-invasive assessments like visual electrophysiology and adaptive optics imaging to study pediatric vision. Her research interests span retinal degeneration mechanisms, photoreceptor maturation, and inherited retinal diseases. Over 30 years of NIH-funded work has led to breakthroughs in understanding rhodopsin's role in visual development and ROP pathophysiology. Recent studies include algorithm validation for ROP diagnosis and genetic basis of retinal dystrophies. Dr. Fulton’s articles highlight advancements in ROP treatment protocols, genetic syndromes (e.g., Bardet-Biedl), and adaptive imaging techniques. Though no named awards are listed, her sustained NIH funding underscores her research impact. She advises on NIH grants and collaborates with teams at Boston Children's Hospital’s Infant Vision Laboratory. Labs/Teams: Infant Vision Laboratory, Precision Medicine Service. Her work bridges clinical care and translational research to improve outcomes for pediatric retinal patients.

• Pediatric Physiotherapy
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Cerebral Palsy
• +12 more

Bülent Elbasan is a faculty member at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. He is a prominent researcher in pediatric rehabilitation, with a strong focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly cerebral palsy and high-risk infants. His research interests span motor development, sensory processing, trunk and postural control, gait analysis, family-centered interventions, and the psychometric validation of clinical assessment tools in pediatric populations. He has led numerous studies on the effectiveness of various physiotherapy interventions, including orthoses, Pilates, stretching techniques, and post-Botulinum toxin rehabilitation. The analysis of his 15 most recent articles reveals a consistent focus on improving functional outcomes in children with cerebral palsy , validating assessment tools for Turkish populations (e.g., GOAL, VFCS), and exploring early predictors of neurodevelopmental disorders in preterm infants. His work often employs rigorous methodologies such as randomized controlled trials and psychometric validation studies. Dr. Elbasan has made significant contributions to the field through his extensive publication record in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals indexed in SCI and SSCI. His collaborative research network includes colleagues from Gazi University and other leading Turkish institutions. He is actively involved in mentoring and advising, as evidenced by his frequent co-authorship with doctoral and early-career researchers. His work also addresses broader issues in healthcare delivery, such as the adoption of telerehabilitation in developing countries and the challenges faced by caregivers of children with special needs. Dr. Elbasan is affiliated with research groups focused on early intervention (e.g., SAFE approach), neurorehabilitation, and the development of evidence-based clinical practices in physiotherapy.

Susan WilliamsView profile

Professor

• Biomechanics of Feeding
• Functional Morphology
• Comparative Physiology
• +12 more

Susan Williams is a Professor of Anatomy and Associate Dean of Faculty at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM), where she leads the Williams Lab in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. She is also affiliated with the Ohio Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Studies (OCEES) and the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, and serves as graduate faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences Biological Sciences Graduate Program. PhD, Duke University, 2004 Promoted to Professor, Ohio University, 2012 Active Principal Investigator with continuous funding from NSF and NIH Dr. Williams' research lies at the intersection of anatomy, functional morphology, physiology, and biomechanics, focusing on the motor control and sensorimotor integration underlying mammalian feeding and swallowing. Her lab investigates how complex behaviors like chewing, lapping, and swallowing are coordinated across more than 30 pairs of head and neck muscles, with particular interest in the development of mastication, the dynamics of soft tissues like the tongue, and the evolution of the hyoid apparatus. Her work employs cutting-edge methodologies such as XROMM, electromyography, and microCT imaging to study both evolutionary patterns and clinical implications, including oropharyngeal dysphagia in infants and lingual nerve injury. Her recent publications focus on the biomechanics of feeding, with a highlighted 2024 paper on tongue function in skunks, reflecting her lab's use of diverse animal models to uncover fundamental principles of oral motor control. The research consistently integrates comparative and clinical perspectives to address both evolutionary questions and rehabilitation strategies. Scientific recognition includes: Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2022) Presidential Research Scholar, Ohio University (2020) Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award (2020) Outstanding Honors Tutorial Thesis Mentor Award (2019, 2020) Dr. Williams is a dedicated mentor and active researcher, serving on the NIH Motor Function, Speech, and Rehabilitation Study Section. Her lab is supported by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, including projects on hyoid biomechanics, development of mastication, and the effects of lingual nerve injuries. She has advised numerous students, including PhD candidates like Jacob George and Ani Smith, and has successfully mentored MS theses such as Hannah Baker's. The Williams Lab is a collaborative, interdisciplinary team utilizing XROMM technology and experimental physiology to study feeding across species and developmental stages. The lab collaborates with experts such as Dr. Callum Ross, Dr. Zhe-Xi Luo, Dr. Rachel Olson, and Dr. Donna Scarborough, and maintains strong ties with Miami University and other institutions.

Victoria B. ChouView profile

Researcher

• Maternal and Child Health
• Global Health Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• +7 more

Victoria B. Chou, PhD, MS is an Associate Scientist in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health . She is affiliated with the Institute for International Programs and the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) . Her work bridges research, technical advocacy, and global health policy. Education PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2011) MS, University of Maryland, Baltimore (2000) BS, Duke University (1996) Dr. Chou is a maternal and child health epidemiologist with expertise in infectious disease modeling, program evaluation, and impact assessment in low-resource settings. Her research focuses on maternal, neonatal, and child health , HIV/AIDS , and vaccine policy . She develops evidence-based tools such as the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) and VoICE to guide advocacy and decision-making. Her work often involves modeling the impact of health interventions and evaluating healthcare systems in humanitarian and global contexts. Recent publications reveal a strong trend in health equity , vaccine prioritization , maternal-child health modeling , and health system strengthening across countries like Peru, Cameroon, and Guatemala. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates clinical research, epidemiology, and policy analysis. Scientific Awards and Honors Council of Women World Leaders Public Health Fellow Fulbright U.S. Student Grant Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) Nominee Wendy Klag Memorial Fund Scholar SREB-State Doctoral Dissertation Scholar New Investigator in Global Health (NIGH) Award Global Field Experience Fund Award Dr. Chou has led and contributed to major research initiatives funded by NIH , UNICEF , Gavi , USAID , and the Gates Foundation . She currently supports NIH-sponsored clinical research in Uganda. Her projects include the CHIC Coalition , VIEW-hub , and Pneumonia & Diarrhea Progress Reports . She collaborates extensively with international partners to strengthen data-driven decision-making in global health. Labs and Research Teams She is actively involved with the Institute for International Programs and IVAC , contributing to modeling and evaluation teams that develop tools like LiST and VoICE. Her work supports evidence generation for policymakers and program implementers worldwide.