Elizabeth Mazzolini is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University at Buffalo, College of Arts and Sciences. Her interdisciplinary research spans Environmental Humanities, Science Studies, and Ecocriticism , focusing on the intersections of rhetoric, toxicity, and social justice. Interests: Environmental Rhetoric, Waste Studies, Media and the Environment, Class and Environmentalism Contact: mazz@buffalo.edu | Office: 515 Clemens Hall Her recent publications analyze rhetorical infrastructures in environmental crises, including works on Love Canal, Three Mile Island, and the metaphorization of toxicity. She is currently developing a book titled American Toxic , which examines the material and communicative dimensions of poisoning in late 20th-century U.S. history.
Dr Yanan Song serves as Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Global Politics at SOAS University of London, where she also holds the position of Co-Director of Distance Learning Programmes within the Department of Politics and International Studies. Prior to her current appointment, she was a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Exeter. PhD in Politics, Durham University MSc in International Public Policy, University College London Dr Song's research centers on US foreign policy with particular emphasis on America's commitment to NATO in the post-Cold War era. Her work examines military operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya, and Ukraine through the lens of foreign policy analysis, with special attention to intra-administration bureaucratic politics. She is currently investigating US-China relations, focusing on how misperceptions and misinterpretations of each other's policies shape bilateral strategy, with specific interest in the reconfiguration of the relationship within the context of the One Belt One Road initiative. Analysis of Dr Song's publication record reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory examining US foreign policy commitments, NATO dynamics, and evolving US-China relations. Her recent work addresses contemporary challenges including the Ukraine crisis impact on transatlantic relations, trilateral dynamics in a multipolar world, and the reconfiguration of US-China relations in the post-pandemic era. Her scholarship consistently employs foreign policy analysis methodology to investigate how strategic misperceptions influence international relations and policy formulation. Dr Song actively supervises PhD students at SOAS and contributes to academic leadership through her role as Co-Director of Distance Learning Programmes. Her research appears to be supported by academic grants focused on international relations, US foreign policy, and China studies, though specific grant details are not publicly enumerated in her profile.
Allen L. Robinson is a Professor and Dean of the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering at Colorado State University (CSU). Previously, he held leadership roles at Carnegie Mellon University, including Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (2013-2021) and Director of the EPA-funded Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions (CACES, 2016-2022). He also served as Director of CMU-Africa (2021-2023) and President of the American Association for Aerosol Research (2016-2017). Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1996) B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University (1990) Research Interests: Focuses on emissions from energy systems, air quality, climate change, and public health. Explores policy analysis and decision-making, with teaching experience in thermodynamics, atmospheric chemistry, and air quality engineering. Awards: 2020 David Sinclair Award, American Association of Aerosol Research 2020 University Professor, Carnegie Mellon 2020 Distinguished Professor of Engineering Award, Carnegie Mellon 2015 ASCENT Award, American Geophysical Union Advising & Grants: Led major initiatives like CACES and contributed to global programs like CMU-Africa. His work bridges academia and policy, addressing environmental equity and urban pollution. Labs & Teams: Spearheads the Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT), advancing ground-based air quality monitoring.
Dr. Steven Manson is a Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Society at the University of Minnesota's College of Liberal Arts, where he also served as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs. He directs the Human-Environment Geographic Information Science (HEGIS) laboratory and leads major data science initiatives like the National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) and IPUMS Terra. PhD in Geography, Clark University (2002) BA Honours in Geography, University of Victoria (1995) His research focuses on geographic information science and human-environment systems , using agent-based modeling and big data to analyze land use change, urban dynamics, and sustainability challenges. Recent work explores spatiotemporal data harmonization and geospatial cyberinfrastructure . The articles reveal trends in GIScience methodology , urbanization analysis , and data-intensive sustainability research . Key contributions include self-organizing map applications for health data and hybrid statistical-GIS techniques for environmental policy. Scientific accolades include: Ecological Society of America Sustainability Science Award NASA Earth System Science Fellow McKnight Land Grant Professorship As Principal Investigator for NHGIS and IPUMS Terra, he secured over $40M in NSF, NIH, and DOJ grants for spatiotemporal data infrastructure. Outreach initiatives include developing open geospatial textbooks adopted globally and collaborating with Twin Cities K-12 programs.
Alison L Bain is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Geography at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. She specializes in feminist urban social geography, focusing on LGBTQ2S suburban place-making, artistic labor, and queer geographies. Her research spans Canada and Germany, examining cultural production, spatial politics, and municipal policies in urban and suburban contexts. Education: PhD Geography, University of Cambridge MA Geography, University of Toronto BA (Honours) Geography, Queen’s University Her work interrogates queer suburban identities, LGBTQ2S service needs, and contested governance dynamics in arts districts. Notable projects include a SSHRC-funded study on LGBTQ2S suburban lives in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. She teaches courses on urban cultures, public space, and geographies of gender/sexuality. Research Trends: Recent articles emphasize queer spatial practices, suburban LGBTQ+ activisms, and the infrastructural politics of inclusion. Key themes include queer suburbanisms, cultural policy interventions, and the interplay of art, urban planning, and municipal governance. Awards: Joint sabbatical leave fellowship (YUFA/York University) International travel conference awards (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) Advising & Grants: Principal Investigator for the SSHRC-funded 'Queering Canadian suburbs' project (2016–2021). Mentors students in feminist methodologies and queer spatial theory. Courses include GEOG 5314 (Cultures of Cities), GEOG 2220 (Urban Geography), and GEOG 3400 (Geographies of Genders/Sexualities). Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary urban geographers and LGBTQ2S advocacy groups to advance inclusive urban policy frameworks and queer spatial praxis.
Dr. Adnan Rajib is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington, leading the H2I Lab (Hydrology & Hydroinformatics Innovation Lab). His research focuses on large-scale hydrology, water quality modeling, and integrating artificial intelligence with remote sensing data to address climate change impacts on water resources. He actively advises doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students in projects related to flood resilience, wildfire hydrology, and nature-based solutions. Dr. Rajib has secured significant grants from NASA, NSF, and USDA, totaling over $4 million, including a major NASA initiative to predict wildfire effects on freshwater supplies and a DOE-funded Coastal Bend Climate Resilience Center. His work spans collaborations with international organizations like the United Nations University and The Nature Conservancy. Key contributions include global studies on floodplain alterations, wetland-mediated nitrate reductions, and the development of cyberinfrastructure tools for open science. He serves on the editorial board of environmental journals and professional committees, including the American Society of Civil Engineers' Wetland Hydrology Technical Committee. His teaching emphasizes advanced topics in civil engineering and research mentorship, with courses like 'Topics in Civil Engineering' and dissertation advisement. Dr. Rajib's lab integrates cutting-edge hydroinformatics to advance climate resilience strategies for vulnerable communities.
Professor Roy Pea is the David Jacks Professor of Education & Learning Sciences at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Computer Science. He served as Director of the H-STAR Institute (2007-2021) and founded Stanford’s PhD program in Learning Sciences and Technology Design. His research focuses on technology-enhanced learning, social foundations of human learning, and interdisciplinary applications of digital tools. Stanford University, School of Education Graduate School of Education Department Courtesy appointment in Computer Science His work spans complex domains like concussion education, climate change learning, and AI-driven mental health interventions. He co-authored the 2010 National Education Technology Plan and co-edited key texts including Video Research in the Learning Sciences and AI in Education . His NSF-funded LIFE Center (2004-2014) advanced learning science theories. Recent publications address: (1) linguistic framing of concussions and reporting behavior, (2) AI chatbots for mental health, (3) "engineering fiction" to reduce climate change abstractness, and (4) immersive AR/LLM learning experiences. His research integrates data science, psychology, and educational technology. Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2019) Inaugural Fellow, International Society of the Learning Sciences (2018) Honorary Doctorate, The Open University (2018) Best Bridging Paper, EDM 2014 LAK13 Best Paper Award (2013) Roy mentors doctoral and master’s students in learning sciences, advising on topics related to technology, cognition, and equity. He contributes to digital education policy through roles on advisory boards for organizations like NSF, NIH, and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. His patents include methods for digital video analysis and collaborative learning systems.
John O'Neill is the Hallsworth Chair in Political Economy and Philosophy at The University of Manchester. He directs the Political Economy Institute and the MA in Political Economy, and holds roles in the Society and Environment Research Group and the Centre for Democracy and Elections. His research focuses on political economy, environmental policy ethics, and the philosophy of science. He has contributed to UK and EU environmental policy projects and edited journals like New Political Economy and Historical Materialism. Education includes prior professorships at Lancaster University, Sussex University, and the University of Wales. His work addresses topics like environmental sustainability, pluralism in policy design, and the ethics of economic systems. Recent publications explore incommensurability in environmental planning, ecological pluralism, and biodiversity economics. He has supervised doctoral research on topics ranging from philosophy and economics to the ethics of micro-finance and sustainability. His projects include the Green Infrastructure to Promote Health and Wellbeing in Aging Populations and ClimateJust impact evaluations. He actively engages with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to environmental sustainability and equity.
Dr. Laraib Niaz is a Research Associate at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, where she contributes to the independent evaluation of the Girls' Education Challenge II initiative. She holds an MSc in Development Management from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a PhD in Education from University College London (UCL). Previously, she served as an education consultant at the World Bank and has taught at LUMS and University College London. Her research focuses on inclusive education, disability studies, gender and development, national identity construction, and decolonizing research practices. She is affiliated with the Cambridge Network for Disability and Education Research (CaNDER) and the REAL Centre. Her research interests include exploring the role of religion in education, particularly in Pakistan, and analyzing media narratives during pandemics. She examines how textbooks construct national identity and investigates the impact of pseudoscience in educational systems. Her work also addresses academic freedom in higher education institutions in India and Pakistan. Laraib has extensive experience in supervising students and collaborating with international organizations such as the World Bank on inclusion-focused projects. Laraib has supervised students during her academic roles at LUMS and UCL. While specific grants are not detailed here, her current work involves evaluating 41 GEC II projects across 17 countries to assess support for girls with disabilities. Her research often intersects with global development and educational equity initiatives. She is part of the Cambridge Network for Disability and Education Research (CaNDER) and the REAL Centre , focusing on equitable access and learning in education systems.
Hsiao-Wen Liao is an **Assistant Professor of Psychology** in the **Adult Development and Aging program** at the **Georgia Institute of Technology**. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Florida (2017) and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University’s Center on Longevity. Her research focuses on **autobiographical memory**, **episodic future thinking**, and **meaningful aging**, leveraging **VR and NLP methods** to explore how life experiences shape adult development. She investigates how memory processes interact with sociocultural contexts to foster resilience and continuity across the lifespan. **Research Interests**: Autobiographical memory functions, cognitive aging, intergenerational connectivity, and the role of technology (VR/NLP) in memory reconstruction. Current projects examine VR applications for recollection enhancement and NLP analysis of life narratives. **Awards & Grants**: ISSI Mini Research Grant (2024), College of Sciences Travel Grant (2025), APS Travel Assistance (2025), and ImmerseGT Hackathon Best Use of Omniverse Track (2023). **Lab Members**: Supervises graduate students (DaEun Kim, Sarah Kim, Liam Hart) and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in HCI and machine learning. Undergraduate assistants focus on neuroscience and psychology interfaces. **Lab Activities**: Janus Lab emphasizes mixed-methods approaches, combining qualitative content analysis with experimental designs. Recent projects address aging well, resilience, and technology-mediated memory interventions.
Pardis Pishdad is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the School of Building Construction at Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Design. She directs the Smart Built Environment Eco-System (Smart Bees) Laboratory, focusing on integrating cyber-physical systems, digital twins, and innovative project delivery methods (e.g., IPD, Flash Tracking) for sustainable built environments. Her research bridges technology adoption, trust-building in construction contracts, and supply chain optimization. Education: PhD, Environmental Design and Planning (Virginia Tech) Master’s Degrees: Civil Engineering (Virginia Tech), Design Studies in Project Management (Harvard), Architecture (University of Tehran) Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering (Azad University of Shiraz) Research Interests: Her work emphasizes sustainable construction practices using IoT, BIM, and blockchain. Key areas include lifecycle cost analysis, lean construction, and smart building technologies. She explores trust dynamics and collaboration in construction projects through game theory and process optimization. Recognition: 2018 ENR Top 20 Under 40 Professionals 2016 CII National Outstanding Researcher Award 2020-2022 Georgia Tech Provost Teaching Learning Fellow Advisory Roles: Academic Advisor for CII’s Supply Chain Management Community, Vice Chair of BuildingSMART’s BIM Forum 5D Taskforce. Formerly advised the Construction Management Association of America’s Board (2016–2018). Industry Collaboration: Partnerships with Turner Construction, GDOT, and VDOT. Research on Flash Tracking and blockchain has been integrated into industry practices. Labs & Teams: The Smart Bees Lab pioneers cyber-physical systems for smart buildings, exploring AI-driven solutions and sustainable construction frameworks.
Hyung Min Kim is an Associate Professor in Urban Planning at the University of Melbourne's Melbourne School of Design. His research focuses on globalisation's urban impacts, including FDI spatial dynamics, smart cities, liveability, and Asia-Pacific urbanisation. Before joining Melbourne in 2016, he worked at RMIT University (Australia), Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University (China), and Korea Appraisal Board. He holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne, supported by an Endeavour Postgraduate Award. His work examines global cities' economic and spatial transformations, emphasizing FDI, international real estate investments, and urban policy in Korea, China, and Vietnam. Key themes include urban renewal strategies, land value capture mechanisms, and the interplay between ICT and urban development. Notable research areas include: Global urban governance and expertise export Spatial mismatch in FDI distribution Pedestrian-centric city design Smart city frameworks for productivity and sustainability Historical urban trajectories in North Korea His publications span 20+ countries, analyzing urban phenomena from Hanoi to Suzhou. Current projects explore FDI-urban growth linkages in Southeast Asia and the role of land readjustment in creating walkable cities. He advises on international urban development strategies and has collaborated with governments on smart city implementation frameworks.
David Anderson is a Professor in African History at the University of Warwick's Faculty of Arts. His academic career spans over four decades, including roles as Professor in African Politics at the University of Oxford (2006-12) and Senior Lecturer in History at SOAS, University of London (1991-2002). His research focuses on colonial history, counter-insurgency, decolonization, and environmental politics. Anderson holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Cambridge (1978-82) and a B.A. in History from the University of Sussex (1975-78). His notable works include Histories of the Hanged (2005), examining British counter-insurgency in Kenya, and Eroding the Commons (2002), analyzing colonial environmental policies. He has been honored with the 2025 Award for Research Communications, Fellow of the British Academy (2022–), and the Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar (2021–23). Anderson has supervised over 20 doctoral students, many of whom now hold academic positions globally. His research extends to public engagement, including documentaries on colonial history and Mau Mau rebellion. He is affiliated with the Global History & Culture Centre at Warwick and collaborates internationally on projects like the Stellenbosch-Warwick Partnership. Key themes in his work include colonial violence, environmental change, and postcolonial governance, reflected in his lectures and publications on topics such as Kenya’s detention camps, climate-driven conflicts, and the 'Migrated Archive' controversy.
Mario Romero is an Associate Professor in Visualization at the Department of Computational Science and Technology (CST), KTH Royal Institute of Technology. He leads the InfraVis national research infrastructure for data visualization and is a Digital Futures Faculty member. His roles include national technical manager of InfraVis, member of the Executive Committee of Digital Futures, and Associate Director for Seminars & Workshops. Education: PhD in Computer Science (Georgia Tech, 2009), MSc in Computer Science (UIUC, 2001), and dual BSc degrees in Industrial Engineering and Construction Engineering (Universidad San Francisco de Quito, 1996). He is a Fulbright Scholar from Ecuador and holds postdoctoral experience at Uppsala University. Research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, Visualization, and Ubiquitous Computing. Key projects include: TENT: Technology-Enhanced Neurosurgical Training VisBac: Visualizing airborne bacteria in ORs PSP: Platform for Smart People (autism support) SMART: Predictive maintenance in pharmaceuticals Homo Colossus: Energy footprint visualization Awards: Selected for IVA's 100 research2business projects (2021). Co-founded BrailleTouch (blind-friendly keyboard) and Anymaker (3D sketching app). Supervised students in C-Awards-winning projects (e.g., Yue Liu's thesis defense in 2024). Teaching: Responsible for courses like Information Visualization (DH2321) and Advanced Graphics & Interaction (DH2413). Active in organizing conferences (e.g., Eurographics 2020 Education Track Chair).
Professor Andrew Abbott specializes in green chemistry and sustainable material processing at the University of Leicester. His research develops novel solvent systems for metal recovery and battery recycling, holding 11 patents for ionic liquid applications. As partner in the Faraday Institution's ReLiB project, he pioneered battery delamination techniques scaled for UK manufacturing plants. Current work focuses on extraterrestrial mining solvents and critical metal recovery.
