Professor Louis Schmidt is a leading academic in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University , with a research focus on developmental psychophysiology, temperament, and the long-term effects of early adversity. His work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science, emphasizing the interplay between brain function and socio-emotional development across the lifespan. Key research themes: Shyness, social anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and outcomes of extremely low birth weight. Recognized for mentoring postdoctoral fellow Kristie Poole, who was celebrated as a role model in the Child Emotion Laboratory. Scientific Awards : Royal Society of Canada recognition for contributions to research and scholarship. Research Trends from 15 recent publications include: Neurophysiological mechanisms of shyness (EEG, ERP, RSA) Impact of antenatal corticosteroids on adult brain function Intergenerational effects of maternal mental health interventions Cross-cultural comparisons of temperamental shyness Developmental consequences of preterm birth Behavioral and neural correlates of social anxiety in diverse populations Grants & Collaborations : Led the SNACS randomized controlled trial on antenatal corticosteroids, with applications in obstetrics and developmental neuroscience. Collaborates extensively on topics like autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and emotion regulation. Labs & Teams : Directs the Child Emotion Laboratory at McMaster University, fostering interdisciplinary research on developmental psychopathology and neural mechanisms of temperament.
Patrick T. Dowling, M.D., M.P.H., is the Kaiser Permanente Endowed Professor of Community Medicine and Chair of the UCLA Department of Family Medicine. He holds dual degrees from the Medical College of Ohio (1974) and the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Dowling's career spans over four decades in family medicine, residency training, and health policy advocacy, with a focus on underserved populations. He has directed residency programs at Cook County Hospital, Brown University, and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center before leading UCLA's Family Medicine department since 1998. His research emphasizes health policy, chronic disease management, cross-cultural medicine, and integrating substance abuse treatment into primary care. He co-founded UCLA's IMG pathway program to train bilingual (English-Spanish) international medical graduates for underserved areas. Dr. Dowling has advised the National Health Service Corps and LA County Public Health Commission, and currently serves on Drew University's Board of Trustees. Publications highlight systemic barriers to healthcare access, physician practice location determinants, opioid epidemic responses, and community-based participatory research. His work bridges medical education innovation with socioeconomic health equity, reflecting lifelong commitment to universal healthcare access inspired by his early work with Cesar Chavez's United Farm Workers Clinics.
Professor Heiko Spallek is Head of School and Dean at the University of Sydney’s Sydney Dental School, leading the school’s integration with the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He also serves as Academic Lead for Digital Health and Health Service Informatics at the faculty level. His research focuses on advancing dental informatics, teledentistry, and evidence-based practice, while advocating for improved oral health policy and public health initiatives. He holds roles including director at Community Connections Australia and membership in the Charles Perkins Centre. Education: DMD, Dr. med. dent., MSBA(CIS), FACD, FAIDH Leadership: Oversees Sydney Dental School’s academic and clinical programs, emphasizing interprofessional education and digital health innovation. Research interests include leveraging big data and machine learning in dentistry, improving access to oral healthcare through teledentistry, and addressing systemic issues in dental education and policy. He has led projects on laser dentistry applications, dental caries prevention, and healthcare workforce regulation. Notable contributions include the OpenWide conference series, the BigMouth dental data repository, and advocacy for equitable dental funding in Australia. Grants include initiatives on oral hygiene in aged care and analysis of healthcare advertising perceptions. Media engagements highlight his role in public discourse on dental access and policy, including commentary on Australia’s dental crisis and aged care reforms. He actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through platforms like the Dental Informatics Online Community. Labs/Teams: Directs the Sydney Dental School’s research programs in informatics and public health, collaborating with national and international networks such as the National Dental PBRN.
Barbara Given is a University Distinguished Professor in the College of Nursing at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on the interplay between formal healthcare systems and informal caregiver networks, particularly in oncology and geriatric populations. She has secured over 34 years of NIH funding, including grants from the National Cancer Institute, NIMH, and others. Dr. Given earned her Ph.D. at MSU, following a BSN and MSN from Ohio State University. Her work centers on caregiver burden, symptom management in chronic disease, and caregiver-patient communication. She developed the Caregiver Burden Instrument, widely used in research and clinical settings across multiple languages. Key research interests include: 1) caregiver stress and support systems, 2) symptom management in cancer patients, and 3) healthcare coordination challenges in aging populations. Her NIH-funded projects address adherence to oral chemotherapy, fall prevention in cancer survivors, and psychosocial outcomes post-treatment. Recent articles emphasize innovation in symptom tracking (e.g., text messaging for adherence), caregiver mental health barriers, and longitudinal symptom analysis. Awards/fellowships are not explicitly stated, though her sustained NIH support reflects significant recognition. Dr. Given advises on grants and mentors nurse researchers. She collaborates on interdisciplinary teams focused on palliative care, gerontology, and technology-based interventions. Her work bridges clinical practice and policy, advocating for integrated care models to reduce caregiver burden.
Rachel Best is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Sociology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the intersections of politics, culture, inequality, and health, with a particular emphasis on disease advocacy, disability discrimination, and the sociological implications of medical policy. She directs the Sociology graduate program and leads computational studies on disease stigma, advocacy strategies, and ADA litigation outcomes. Her work bridges medical sociology, legal studies, and public health, addressing how societal structures shape health outcomes and policy responses. Her research interests include analyzing how disease campaigns influence health policy, the political consequences of overestimating individual health control, and the role of stigma in disability rights litigation. Notable projects use computational methods to trace policy advocacy impacts and explore visibility dynamics in disability cases. Recent publications (2022–2025) highlight her focus on disease stigma’s societal effects, legal interpretations of invisible disabilities, and the evolving nature of advocacy in health policy. Her earlier works, such as Common Enemies: Disease Campaigns in America , critique single-disease advocacy frameworks and their unintended policy consequences. Rachel Best advises on graduate studies and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams. Her research has been supported by grants focusing on sociological methods in health policy analysis. She is affiliated with the University of Michigan’s Sociology Department and the LSA College, contributing to discussions on inequality and institutional sociology.
Dr. Sara McMenamin is an Associate Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego. She serves as the Associate Director of the MPH program and Interim Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education . Her research focuses on state-level policies addressing tobacco use and preventive services, particularly health insurance coverage for tobacco dependence treatment in California and nationally. She also co-chairs the California Health Benefits Review Program , evaluating proposed health insurance legislation's medical, cost, and public health impacts. Her work spans public health policy analysis , health insurance mandate evaluations, and tobacco control strategies. Key areas include analyzing the effects of tobacco tax increases (e.g., Proposition 56), tracking smoking trends among youth and adults, and investigating the interplay between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation. She has contributed to studies on fertility preservation mandates, telemedicine for substance use disorders, and health equity in insurance access. Recent research highlights include assessing declines in youth smoking despite e-cigarette surges, evaluating tobacco policy coverage changes in California, and projecting future cigarette consumption trends. Her work often bridges policy implementation and population health outcomes, emphasizing evidence-based approaches. Dr. McMenamin collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and state agencies to translate research into actionable policies. Her contributions span over 150 peer-reviewed publications, with frequent media and policy engagement (e.g., cited in 14+ news outlets for key studies).
Aradhna Krishna is the Dwight F. Benton Professor of Marketing at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. She holds affiliations with the International Institute and the Center for South Asian Studies. Her research focuses on sensory marketing, health and nutrition, corporate social responsibility, and political decision-making. She has authored influential books like Customer Sense: How the 5 Senses Influence Buying Behavior and edited collections on sensory marketing. Education: PhD in Marketing, New York University (1989) MBA, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (1984) B.A. in Economics, University of Delhi (1982) Research Interests: Her work explores how sensory cues (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste) shape consumer perceptions and behaviors. Key areas include food marketing, health decision-making, and the impact of political identity on risk perceptions. She has pioneered studies on sensory marketing’s role in persuasion and product design. Awards & Recognition: Fellow of the Society of Consumer Psychology (highest honor) Recognized by HBR as 'foremost expert in sensory marketing' Consulting & Expertise: Advised organizations like Procter & Gamble, General Mills, and the World Food Program. Served as expert witness for legal cases involving Hallmark Entertainment. Engages with policy boards for global health initiatives. Labs & Teams: Active in interdisciplinary collaborations at the Ross School, focusing on consumer behavior and sensory research.
Tyler Johnson, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Dominican University of California's School of Health and Natural Sciences. His expertise lies in Natural Products Chemistry , Bioorganic Chemistry , and Medicinal Chemistry , with a focus on biomedical applications. Johnson's research emphasizes discovering therapeutic lead compounds and molecular probes from marine and terrestrial natural products. His research team investigates chemotypes like mycothiazole , zampanolide , fijianolide , and latrunculin from Indo-Pacific marine sponges. These compounds exhibit potent cytotoxicity (IC50 1~5 nM) against cancer cell lines through mechanisms including microfilament disruption , mitochondrial complex I inhibition , and microtubule stabilization . Current work explores mycothiazole as a molecular probe for mitochondrial aging. Key publications span 2024-2002, covering topics from sponge-derived anticancer agents to inflammation modulation and environmental toxicology. Johnson's laboratory engages in large-scale natural product isolation, spectroscopic validation, and semi-synthetic medicinal chemistry to optimize therapeutic leads. His work integrates undergraduate and graduate students into interdisciplinary biomedical research.
Dov Cohen is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois, with extensive cross-disciplinary affiliations including the Information Trust Institute, College of Law, Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. His academic home resides within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Professor Cohen's research centers on Cultural Psychology with specific expertise in honor cultures, institutional inversion, and cross-cultural value systems. His work examines how cultural frameworks shape cognition, emotion, and behavior - particularly regarding violence, debt, and religious influences. Notable contributions include the development of the 'institutional inversion' framework explaining discrepancies between collective attitudes and behaviors, and pioneering research on honor cultures in the American South. His publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions across top journals including Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , Current Directions in Psychological Science , and Social Psychology . Recent work explores East-West relationship differences, gendered language in financial contexts, and the psychological mechanisms underlying cultural transmission. Cohen maintains active research programs examining the embodied nature of culture through psychological perspective and physical comportment. His theoretical work integrates Lewinian field theory with contemporary cultural psychology frameworks. As a mentor, Professor Cohen advises graduate students in Psychology and related interdisciplinary programs, fostering research that bridges cultural psychology with law, economics, and religious studies. His collaborative projects frequently involve international teams examining cultural phenomena across diverse national contexts.
Ana Cristina Manso serves as Associate Professor, Vice-Rector, and Member of the Scientific Council at Egas Moniz University Institute. She directs multiple Preventive and Community Dentistry courses within the Integrated Master's Degree in Dentistry program and serves as a researcher at the Egas Moniz Interdisciplinary Research Center. Her clinical practice includes work at the Oral Health Unit - Clinical Center at the Bankers' Union of the South and Islands. Her educational background includes a PhD in Research in Stomatology (2008) from the University of Granada and a Dentistry Degree (1993) from the Higher Institute of Health Sciences South. She has completed numerous specialized trainings including Pedagogical Training, Quality Assurance Systems, and Social Responsibility seminars at Egas Moniz. Manso's research focuses on geriatric oral health, preventive dentistry, and community-based dental care. Her work examines self-perception of oral health among elderly populations using tools like GOHAI, investigates halitosis treatments including cinnamon-based solutions, and studies caries prevention through remineralization techniques. She has published extensively on dental erosion, temporomandibular disorders, and socioeconomic factors affecting oral health outcomes in Portuguese populations. Her recent publications reveal strong trends in geriatric dentistry and health disparities research, with significant focus on oral health literacy, socioeconomic determinants of oral health, and interdisciplinary approaches to managing conditions like xerostomia and temporomandibular disorders. Methodologically, her work combines clinical trials, cross-sectional analyses, and systematic reviews. Manso has supervised 57 master's dissertations (co-supervising 20), 1 doctoral thesis (co-supervised), and 2 undergraduate theses. Her research projects include ADAPTAR - Projeto EduCom and the Egas Moniz Interdisciplinary Research Center (UID/BIM/04585/2019). She actively participates in quality assurance initiatives as a Member of the Quality Assurance Commission for Egas Moniz Teaching. As Director of the Egas Moniz Interdisciplinary Research Center, she leads research on community dentistry and oral health promotion. Her work extends to social responsibility initiatives including oral health programs for prison populations and elderly community outreach through the 'Primeiro Dente, Primeira escovagem' program.
David Wainwright is a Senior Lecturer in the Department for Health at the University of Bath, where he convenes the cross-faculty Work, Health and Wellbeing Research Group and serves as Director of Studies for Professional Doctorate in Health programmes. University of Bath, Department for Health Former affiliations: University of Kent (School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research), University of Bristol (Social Medicine Department, MRC Collaboration) Research Focus : Intersections of work, health, and wellbeing, emphasizing: Medicalization of occupational stress Extended working life and pension policy Psycho-social drivers of illness behavior Management of medically unexplained illnesses Recent Projects include: Behavior change interventions for extended working life (DWP-funded) Sickness certification for chronic pain Community-based support for intellectual disabilities Health seeking behavior among homeless populations Collaborations span healthcare policy, chronic pain research, and interdisciplinary studies with institutions like Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Trust and MRC Health Services Research Collaboration.
Prof. Dr. Yavuz Yakut serves as full-time Professor and Head of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Hasan Kalyoncu University's Faculty of Health Sciences since 2016. Previously, he held academic positions at Hacettepe University from 1985 to 2016, progressing from Research Assistant to Professor, while concurrently serving on national committees including the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance Budget Implementation Commissions (1997-2003) and YÖK Physiotherapy Sub-Commission (2013-2016). His educational foundation includes a Bachelor's (1984), Master's (1987), and PhD (1990) in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, all completed at Hacettepe University. Yakut's research demonstrates exceptional breadth across rehabilitation science, with concentrated expertise in biomechanics and scoliosis rehabilitation . His work significantly advances neurological rehabilitation for conditions like multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, while pioneering applications in burn rehabilitation and orthotics/prosthetics . Recent publications reveal strategic integration of biopsychosocial models and telerehabilitation , particularly addressing pandemic-related challenges and chronic disease management across diverse populations. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications shows consistent interdisciplinary innovation: validating cross-cultural assessment tools (e.g., Turkish translations of scoliosis and ADL questionnaires), developing novel exercise protocols (dance therapy, cognitive exercise therapy), and investigating rehabilitation responses in complex cases including HIV, rheumatic diseases, and post-earthquake trauma. His methodology frequently combines biomechanical analysis with patient-centered outcomes, demonstrating particular rigor in controlled trials for spinal deformities and burn recovery. His leadership extends beyond direct research through committee roles shaping national rehabilitation policy and educational standards, including his current departmental leadership and recent systematic review on physiotherapy distance education during pandemic disruptions.
Sonia Mayoral is the Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Brown University. Her research focuses on studying cell-cell interactions in the brain, particularly the development and function of oligodendrocytes – glial cells critical for myelin formation. She explores how these cells contribute to myelination, remyelination processes, and their roles in neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis. Her work integrates cellular neuroscience, immunology, and drug screening methodologies. Research interests include glial cell biology, neuron-glial interactions, and the molecular mechanisms governing myelin repair. She investigates how environmental cues and signaling pathways regulate oligodendrocyte differentiation and function. Notable projects involve developing high-throughput screening platforms for MS therapeutics and studying sex-specific responses to neurodegenerative challenges. Her lab’s recent work includes clinical trials (Re-WRAP) evaluating Bazedoxifene for remyelination in women, and fundamental studies on regulatory T cell roles in myelin regeneration. She also examines how mechanical stimulation and epigenetic changes influence oligodendrocyte behavior. Her research bridges basic science and translational efforts, aiming to advance treatments for myelin-related disorders. Dr. Mayoral’s lab is active at Brown University, with a dedicated website detailing ongoing projects and collaborations. While no specific grants or students are listed here, her work reflects a strong focus on interdisciplinary approaches to neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.
Roxanne Wadia, MD, holds dual roles as a Clinical Fellow in Pathology and Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) at Yale School of Medicine. Her expertise spans anatomic and cytopathology, with a focus on cancer diagnosis and treatment guidance. She completed her medical degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (2008) and is board-certified in Anatomic Pathology (2023) and Cytopathology (2024). Dr. Wadia’s research integrates oncology, HIV/AIDS, and medical informatics, leveraging large datasets such as the VA’s Million Veterans Program to improve cancer care outcomes. She actively contributes to clinical care at Yale New Haven Hospital, the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and the Hospital of Saint Raphael’s, emphasizing holistic patient care and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her research explores prostate cancer prognosis, HIV-related malignancies, and healthcare analytics. Key projects include developing predictive tools for nonmetastatic prostate cancer mortality and studying lung cancer surgery outcomes in HIV-positive patients. Dr. Wadia also mentors trainees in oncology and hematology, emphasizing independent clinical decision-making. She participates in the VA’s clinical training programs for medical students, residents, and fellows, fostering a balance between clinical practice and research innovation.
Dr. Victoria C. P. Chen is a Professor in the Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering (IMSE) department at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where she has served since 2002. She previously held positions at the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1993-2001. Dr. Chen has held several leadership roles at UTA, including Interim Department Chair (2012-2014), Director of the Center on Stochastic Modeling, Optimization, & Statistics (COSMOS) (2008-2012, and again from 2017-present), and Director of Doctoral Studies (2019-present). She was also the George & Elizabeth Pickett Professor from 2015-2017 and was inducted into the UT Arlington Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 2019. Dr. Chen is actively involved with INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Science), where she currently serves as Secretary on the Executive Board. Dr. Chen earned her B.S. in Mathematical Sciences from The Johns Hopkins University, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University. Her academic journey includes visiting professorships at the University of Genoa, Italy, and Iowa State University. Dr. Chen's research utilizes statistical perspectives to create new methodologies for operations research problems appearing in engineering and science. Her expertise includes the design of experiments, statistical modeling, and data mining, particularly for computer experiments and stochastic optimization. Through her statistics-based approach, she has developed computationally-tractable decision-making methods for many high-dimensional complex systems. Her work spans multiple domains including sustainability, energy, water management, healthcare, and law enforcement. Specific application areas include inventory forecasting, airline optimization, water reservoir networks, wastewater treatment, air quality monitoring, green building design, nurse assignment systems, and pain management programs. Her recent publications demonstrate continued innovation in mixed integer programming for electric vehicle charging stations, vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy prediction, and sustainable building education. Senior Member, Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) (2024) Data Mining Prize (Lifetime Achievement Award), INFORMS Society on Data Mining (2023) College of Engineering Teaching Award, UT Arlington (2021) Third Place Award, C3.ai COVID-19 Grand Challenge (2020) Academy of Distinguished Teachers, University of Texas at Arlington (2019) George & Elizabeth Pickett Professorship (2015-2017) As an educator and mentor, Dr. Chen has advised over 25 doctoral students across diverse research topics in operations research and systems engineering. She has secured substantial research funding from multiple sources including the National Science Foundation (over $1.5 million in active projects), Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Justice, and industry partners like Luminant and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Her current research projects focus on decision analytics for sustainable urban environments, optimization for Texas water management, and statistical methods for pain management programs. She has served as Principal Investigator or Co-PI on more than 20 externally funded research projects totaling over $3 million in funding. Dr. Chen co-founded the Center on Stochastic Modeling, Optimization, & Statistics (COSMOS) at UTA with Dr. H. W. Corley. This research center brings together faculty and students from multiple disciplines to address complex problems through advanced statistical and optimization methods. She also leads interdisciplinary research teams working on projects related to sustainable infrastructure, energy systems, and healthcare optimization, frequently collaborating with researchers from civil engineering, environmental science, and medical fields.
