Jesús Viciana Ramírez serves as a University Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Sports at the Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Granada. His academic work centers on innovative physical education methodologies and technology integration for youth activity promotion. His teaching schedule includes consistent office hours across semesters in Building D - Office 4.3. Research interests focus on physical activity monitoring using wearable technology, gamified teaching models in physical education, and environmental influences on student engagement. His work bridges sports science with educational technology through rigorous validation studies and cluster-randomized trials. Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant trends in Wearable device validation for adolescent activity tracking Intermittent teaching units combining gamification and technology Cross-cultural fitness assessment frameworks with strong emphasis on objective measurement through accelerometers and real-world school implementation. His leadership in the School-Fit and Fit-Person studies demonstrates commitment to evidence-based physical education practices. Current research explores psychological mediators of activity interventions and environmental knowledge assessment through tools like CENAFI.
Dr. Sandra Diaz Pier is a Scientific Lead at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) within the Jülich Research Centre , Germany. Specializing in computational neuroscience , high performance computing (HPC) , and machine learning , she bridges neuroscience and advanced computational methods through her research. Education: B.Sc. in Electronic Systems Engineering, Mexico M.Sc. in Computer Science (focus: machine learning, quantum computing), Mexico Second M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Ontario, Canada Ph.D. in Computer Science, Germany (2021) Her research focuses on modeling and simulating brain dynamics and plasticity at multiple scales, leveraging HPC to accelerate large-scale neural network simulations. She actively contributes to EU projects like the Human Brain Project (HBP) , Virtual Brain Cloud , and EBRAINS 2.0 , emphasizing infrastructure development and educational training. Her work includes open-source tools such as the NEST simulator , The Virtual Brain , and L2L , enabling efficient parameter exploration and multiscale co-simulation frameworks. The 15 most recent publications highlight her interdisciplinary approach, spanning topics from quantum computing in biomolecular simulations to neural plasticity algorithms and cloud-based brain modeling . These articles reflect her expertise in integrating machine learning , multi-scale simulation , and HPC infrastructure for neuroscience challenges, including seizure propagation, Parkinson’s disease progression, and swarm intelligence in spiking networks. She leads technical coordination in projects like EBRAINS and serves as a task leader in the HBP infrastructure work package , while also organizing workshops and hackathons for open-source tools. Her role involves supporting domain scientists through methodological research and workflow optimization for brain simulations.
Dr. Susan M. Sereika is a Professor in the Department of Health and Community Systems at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing . She holds secondary appointments in the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science and the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health, as well as affiliations with the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center's Biostatistical Facility. Associate Dean for Computing and Information Technology (School of Nursing) Faculty Statistician (Office of Research Scholarship) Active in Senate Computing & IT Committee (Pitt, 1992-present) Her statistical expertise focuses on: Longitudinal data analysis for intensive monitoring (Aardex MEMS, Fitbit, actigraphy) Latent variable methods (group-based trajectory, dual/multi-trajectory analyses) Dyadic analysis Model assessment She collaborates on weight loss, lifestyle self-management, symptom management, and regimen adherence research. Academic Contributions include: PhD-level courses: Advanced Quantitative Methods Seminar (NUR 3290) Independent study supervision (NUR 3060) Statistical mentorship for honors/masters/doctoral committees Consulting for NIH reviews and journal editorial boards
John B. Nezlek is a Professor at SWPS University in Poland, affiliated with the Institute of Psychology and the Center for Climate Action and Social Transformations (4CAST). His work spans multiple campuses including Poznań and Warsaw, where he conducts research at the intersection of social and personality psychology with contemporary societal issues. Nezlek's research primarily focuses on the psychology of vegetarianism as a social identity, climate change psychology, and the role of values in prosocial behavior. His work frequently employs diary methods and multilevel modeling techniques to examine within-person processes. He has made significant contributions to understanding how dietary choices function as social identities, the psychological consequences of vegetarianism, and the relationship between values and environmental action. His research on emotion regulation in everyday life has provided important insights into how people manage their emotions across different contexts. Analysis of Nezlek's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on the intersection of dietary behavior and social psychology, particularly vegetarianism and its social implications. His work increasingly examines climate change distress and how it interacts with religious belief and political orientation. There's also a clear trend toward studying well-being mechanisms, with numerous papers exploring mediators like environmental mastery, basic need satisfaction, and gratitude in the relationship between various psychological constructs and well-being outcomes. Recognized as one of the most frequently cited researchers in the world Secured over PLN 4 million in research funding from the National Science Centre Published extensively in high-impact journals across psychology Nezlek leads research within the Center for Climate Action and Social Transformations (4CAST), where his team employs intensive longitudinal methods to study real-time psychological processes. His work on diary methodology has established him as an expert in within-person research designs. Current projects appear to focus on the psychological aspects of climate change adaptation, the social dynamics of dietary choices, and the interplay between religious belief, political orientation, and environmental concern. His research has practical implications for understanding how to promote sustainable behaviors and improve well-being through psychological interventions.
Sinead O'Keeffe is a Research Fellow at the University of Limerick in the Faculty of Science and Engineering , specifically within the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering . Her research bridges the technical domain of optical fiber sensor development with critical applications in radiation therapy and sports medicine. Primary Research Themes Medical radiation dosimetry using optical fiber sensors Brachytherapy dose monitoring systems Sports injury prevention in Gaelic football and running Mental health literacy in rural farming communities Key Technical Contributions Development of scintillation-based dosimeters Characterization of perfluorinated polymer fibers 3D printed sensor systems for clinical and rehabilitation applications Interdisciplinary Applications Prostate cancer radiotherapy dose measurement Mental health intervention programs for athletes Work-family conflict analysis in Irish farming Email: sinead.okeeffe@ul.ie
Channing Mathews serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia, specializing in Community Psychology. Her research examines how ethnic-racial identity and critical consciousness drive STEM engagement and activism among youth of color during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Her scholarship integrates theoretical frameworks from psychology, education, and African American studies with three central foci: (1) ethnic-racial identity and critical consciousness as dual promoters of positive development for Black and Latinx youth; (2) their influence on STEM orientation; and (3) the complexity of identity and critical action behaviors including STEM-based activism. This work employs mixed-methods approaches across diverse educational contexts. Dr. Mathews demonstrates significant publication impact in developmental psychology and STEM equity research, with recent articles examining identity-science intersections through latent class analyses, longitudinal designs, and intervention studies. Her work consistently addresses racialized barriers in STEM while highlighting youth agency and resistance strategies. She actively mentors future scholars, accepting postdoctoral fellows through the University of Virginia Rising Scholars Program and graduate students for the 2023-2024 cycle. Her research extends to collaborations with informal STEM learning sites and examination of digital activism among immigrant youth of color.
Giovanni Gallipoli is a Professor at the Vancouver School of Economics, part of the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on macroeconomics and applied microeconomics, with particular emphasis on economic inequality, labor market dynamics, firm heterogeneity, and computational methods. He holds a Ph.D. from University College London. Key professional roles include Associate Editor of the Journal of Political Economy , Faculty Associate at the Stone Centre on Wealth and Income Inequality, and membership in the CEPR and HCEO. His work bridges theoretical rigor and empirical analysis, exploring topics such as general equilibrium effects of policies, household responses to shocks, and skill dispersion across workers and firms. Notable awards include the Killam Research Prize and the Young Economist Award from the European Economic Association. His research outputs span influential journals in economics, with recent studies addressing structural transformation, digital intensity impacts, and intergenerational transfers. He actively contributes to policy discussions through affiliations with institutions like the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID).
Aideen Gildea is a Lecturer in Children and Young People's Nursing at Queen's University Belfast's School of Nursing and Midwifery, part of the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences. She holds an NMC registration as a Specialist Public Health Nurse (Health Visiting). Her research focuses on child development, parental engagement, and reducing health inequalities through evidence-based interventions. She has led large-scale projects involving longitudinal follow-ups and collaborated with diverse stakeholders using mixed methodologies. Her research interests include school mental health, social and emotional development in children, and early intervention strategies. Gildea supervises PhD students in areas such as safeguarding, school transitions, and parenting programs. She is a member of key committees like the Infant Mental Health Regional Implementation Group and the Crescendo Management Committee. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health equity and education. Recent articles highlight interventions addressing intimate partner violence, neonatal care, and school-based smoking prevention. Awards include the Star Recognition Award (2023) and the ARC Accelerator (2020). She contributes to teaching modules on child health law, quality improvement, and community nursing practices.
Jennifer Makelarski is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Iowa and has over 15 years of experience in public health research and education. She has been actively involved in teaching, primarily in online accredited MPH programs, for more than five years. Her research is centered on social epidemiology, with a strong focus on reducing health disparities by addressing social risks such as food insecurity, socioeconomic vulnerability, and access to community resources. She employs both quantitative and qualitative methods in study design and implementation, often in urban, underserved populations. Her recent publications highlight her work during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, examining health-related social risks among U.S. women and female caregivers, food insecurity, and the impact of hospital-based food pantries. She has also contributed significantly to the CommunityRx project—a clinic-based intervention connecting patients to community resources—using both empirical and computational modeling approaches. Her work spans topics including women's health, racial and ethnic disparities, mental health, and public health informatics. Her scientific contributions appear in top-tier journals such as American Journal of Public Health , Journal of Women’s Health , PLoS Computational Biology , and Annals of Family Medicine . She frequently collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, particularly with Dr. Stacy T. Lindau, and is committed to community-engaged research that addresses real-world public health challenges. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: No specific information on students advised or grants received is provided in the text. Labs and Research Teams: While no formal lab is named, her work is closely tied to the CommunityRx initiative and population health research on the South Side of Chicago, indicating active participation in community-engaged research teams focused on urban health equity and resource integration.
Dr. Joseph Henrich is the Ruth Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology and Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He directs the Culture, Cognition, and Coevolution Lab, focusing on evolutionary approaches to psychology, cultural transmission, and the coevolution of genes and culture. His research explores how cultural learning drives human sociality, cooperation, and institutional complexity across diverse societies like Amazonia, Chile, and Fiji. His guiding research questions address human evolution's drivers, the interplay between cultural and genetic evolution, and the origins of large-scale cooperation. He integrates ethnographic methods with experimental economics and psychology to analyze topics from prestige dynamics to the psychological impacts of WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) societies. Major publications include The WEIRDest People in the World and The Secret of Our Success , which examine cultural evolution's role in shaping global psychological diversity and economic development. Henrich's lab develops formal models linking micro-level social learning to macro-level cultural phenomena, emphasizing how cultural practices influence cognition and decision-making. His work challenges assumptions of psychological universality in cognitive science by highlighting the need for cross-cultural and historical methodologies. Current projects explore surname diversity's role in innovation, ritual effects on prosociality, and the evolution of moralizing religions.
Abi Adams is the Nuffield Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford, with visiting appointments at Northwestern University and MIT. She is a leading figure in applied microeconomics and labour economics, holding affiliations with the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), and the Royal Economic Society. PhD in Economics, University of Oxford (2015) MPhil in Economics, University of Oxford (Distinction) BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, University of Oxford (1st Class) Her research centers on labour economics , gender-based violence , and behavioral decision-making . She uses empirical methods to analyze job flexibility, gig economy dynamics, and the economic consequences of domestic abuse. Her work bridges economics and law, influencing public policy through high-impact research. Her recent publications in top journals such as the Quarterly Journal of Economics and American Economic Review focus on domestic violence, remote work, mental health during crises, and gender wage gaps in digital labor markets. These works highlight trends in policy-relevant empirical microeconomics , behavioral responses to shocks , and gender and inequality . Philip Leverhulme Prize ESRC Outstanding Impact in Public Policy Prize O2RB Impact Prize Edgeworth Prize for Best PhD Thesis Excellence in Refereeing Award, AER: Insights She has secured major grants from the ERC, Nuffield Foundation, and UKRI, often as Principal Investigator. She actively supervises PhD and MPhil students at Oxford and has advised on UK parliamentary inquiries and litigation related to gender violence and employment rights. Her institutional roles include serving on the Governing Council of the Royal Economic Society and the editorial board of Review of Economic Studies . She leads the Applied Microeconomics group at Oxford and co-convenes programs in business economics and climate economics. She is also involved in public engagement through policy reports and media contributions.
Lisa Velkoff is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Reed College , with additional experience as an Adjunct Professor at Lewis & Clark College. Her expertise lies in clinical psychology, focusing on eating disorders, suicidality, and non-suicidal self-harm. Education: B.A. in Psychology and English, Northwestern University (2013) M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Miami University (2017) Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Miami University (2021) Research Interests include identifying proximal risk factors for eating disorders and self-harm behaviors, with emphasis on interoceptive deficits, negative affect, and agitation. She also studies body image, weight bias, and develops digital health interventions like just-in-time adaptive systems. Publication Trends show consistent focus on eating disorders, suicidality, self-harm, and their interrelationships, employing methodologies from experimental psychology to ecological momentary assessment. Teaching Approach prioritizes inclusivity and critical thinking in courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Health Psychology, and Psychology of Stress and Resilience.
Dr. Myrna de Rooij is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University. Her work focuses on the intricate connections between human, animal, and environmental health, embodying the One Health approach. She is actively involved in research on environmental sampling techniques for pathogen monitoring at farms and the public health effects of livestock farming. Her academic background includes: PhD in Exposure Science (2019) MSc in Veterinary Medicine MSc in Epidemiology (GPA: 4.0) Master in Companion Animals Medicine (GPA: 4.0) Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine (GPA: 3.7) Dr. de Rooij's research interests span multiple interconnected domains of public health and environmental science. She specializes in One Health approaches to understanding zoonotic disease transmission, with particular focus on how livestock farming affects community health. Her work combines environmental sampling, epidemiological methods, and microbial analysis to assess exposure pathways and health outcomes. She has developed expertise in studying respiratory health effects related to agricultural air pollution, antimicrobial resistance patterns in rural communities, and the environmental transmission of pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza. Her research often involves large-scale population studies and innovative environmental sampling methodologies. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong thematic continuity in her research program. Her work consistently examines the intersection of agricultural practices, environmental exposure, and human health outcomes. There's a clear progression from studying historical outbreaks like Q fever to contemporary challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and avian influenza. Her research increasingly incorporates advanced environmental sampling techniques, microbiome analysis, and sophisticated spatial modeling approaches to understand exposure pathways and health impacts. Her scientific achievements have been recognized through several prestigious awards: Young scientist sponsorship for selected best abstract, European Respiratory Society (2021) Key note lecture for selected late-breaking abstract, World One Health Conference (2020) Annual award for best PhD thesis in public health, Netherlands Congres of Public Health (2020) PhD candidate travel grant for oral scientific presentation, Netherlands Center for One Health (2019) Dr. de Rooij leads several major research projects including a Veni grant on advanced environmental sampling techniques to reduce infectious disease burden, the ongoing Livestock farming and Neighboring Residents' Health (VGO3) study, and research on respiratory health risks from intensive livestock production. She has been instrumental in studies examining SARS-CoV-2 transmission in mink farms and the role of environmental factors in pandemic spread. Her work often involves multidisciplinary collaborations across veterinary medicine, public health, and environmental science. Her research is conducted through the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences at Utrecht University, where she contributes to the Population Health Sciences department. This institute provides a collaborative environment for interdisciplinary research that bridges human, animal, and environmental health domains, perfectly aligning with Dr. de Rooij's One Health approach.
Thomas Elston is Associate Professor of Public Administration at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. He is an active researcher, teacher, and public policy consultant, focusing on public service organization, management, and reform. He co-directs the London PhD Colloquium for Public Management and teaches political science and public management courses, as well as conducting workshops for senior public sector leaders. University: University of Oxford School: Blavatnik School of Government Department: Department of Public Administration Position: Associate Professor Email: thomas.elston@bsg.ox.ac.uk Thomas Elston’s research centers on improving public sector performance through insights from organizational sociology and management science. Key areas include inter-organizational collaboration, shared services, bureaucratic accountability, public service resilience, and reform strategies such as privatization and amalgamation. He investigates how collaboration between local governments affects service delivery and whether traditional accountability structures hinder cross-agency cooperation. His work challenges assumptions about the benefits of organizational mergers and shared administrative services, advocating for evidence-based approaches to public management reform. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on inter-municipal cooperation, particularly in England and Catalonia. The articles analyze the timing, duration, and financial impacts of collaboration, as well as its effects on resilience, cost, and legitimacy. A recurring theme is the critique of 'one-shot bias'—the tendency of policymakers to pursue dramatic reforms while neglecting incremental improvements. His research employs longitudinal analysis, social network analysis, and case studies to evaluate public management practices, with a strong emphasis on empirical evidence over fashionable but unproven ideas. Early Career Teaching Practitioner Award Thomas Elston actively advises and mentors PhD students through his role as co-director of the London PhD Colloquium for Public Management. He consults for governments in Europe and North America on inter-organizational collaboration, civil service performance, and public sector reform. While specific grant details are not mentioned, his extensive research output and policy engagement suggest significant funding support. He leads research projects on bureaucratic independence, accountability reform, and collaborative governance, often in collaboration with scholars like Ruth Dixon and Germà Bel. His work bridges academic theory and practical public administration challenges. He is involved in research teams analyzing inter-municipal cooperation and public service reforms, particularly through collaborative projects with colleagues at Oxford and other institutions. His research group examines the drivers and effects of joint service provision, using data from England, Catalonia, and the UK civil service. These teams employ mixed-methods approaches, including quantitative analysis of longitudinal datasets and qualitative case studies, to generate actionable insights for public managers and policymakers.
Aisha S. Dickerson, PhD, MSPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with a joint appointment in Environmental Health and Engineering. She is affiliated with several research centers, including the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Data Analysis Center, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, the Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, and the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research. Her educational background includes: PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 2014 MSPH, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009 BS, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2005 Dr. Dickerson is an environmental neuroepidemiologist whose research investigates the impact of environmental and occupational exposures across the life course on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Her primary focus is on autism spectrum disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and dementia, particularly in underserved and under-resourced communities. She examines joint exposures to metals, air pollution, and psychosocial stressors, emphasizing health disparities and environmental injustice. Her work often involves complex statistical modeling of exposure mixtures and gene-environment interactions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trajectory in environmental health disparities, neuroepidemiology, and longitudinal cohort studies. Her research leverages large datasets such as the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), and the ECHO program. Themes include the neurocognitive effects of metal mixtures, prenatal environmental exposures, occupational risks for ALS, and the social determinants of dementia. Her work bridges environmental science, public health, and social justice. Her scientific honors include: 2023 and 2024 JHU Career Impact Award Nominee 2021 Butler-Williams Scholars Program, National Institute on Aging 2020 Bloomberg American Health Initiative Spark Award 2019 Victoria S. Levin Award, Society for Research in Child Development Multiple fellowship and travel awards from NIEHS, NIMHD, and HRSA Dr. Dickerson has been the principal investigator on NIEHS-funded research examining parental occupational exposures and autism risk in offspring. She leads several ongoing studies utilizing national longitudinal datasets to investigate environmental justice and cognitive aging. Her collaborative network is extensive, involving researchers across institutions and international cohorts, particularly in Denmark. She is actively involved in mentoring through programs like LEARNERS and has contributed significantly to scientific discourse through peer review and invited perspectives. She is a key member of the ECHO Data Analysis Center and contributes to leadership in environmental health initiatives at Johns Hopkins, including the Bloomberg American Health Initiative. Her lab and research team focus on data-intensive epidemiological methods to unravel the complex interplay between environment, genetics, and neurological health across the lifespan.
