David Bamman is an Associate Professor in the School of Information at UC Berkeley, specializing in applying Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning to cultural and social science questions. He leads research in born-literary NLP, computational humanities, and cultural analytics, with affiliated roles in EECS, Linguistics, and Computational Precision Health. Bamman holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon (Ph.D., 2015), Boston University (M.A., 2006), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A., 1998). His work is supported by NEH, NSF, and industry grants. Educations: Ph.D. in Computer Science (2015), Carnegie Mellon University M.A. in Applied Linguistics (2006), Boston University B.A. in Classics (1998), University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Interests: NLP for underserved domains (e.g., literature, social media), coreference resolution, cultural analytics, and computational methods for studying literature and culture. Projects include LitBank and BookNLP datasets. Grants & Awards: Hellman Fellow (2019), Amazon Research Award (2017), NSF CAREER Award, and NEH funding. Teaching: Courses include Natural Language Processing (Info 159/259), Computational Humanities (INFO 190), and Applied NLP (INFO 256). His research group explores topics like racial representation in high school literature, Hollywood diversity metrics, and the sociocultural implications of LLMs. Bamman advises multiple PhD students and collaborates on datasets like CMU Book Summaries and 11K Latin Books.
Brett Welch is an Assistant Professor and Biostatistician at the University of Houston with dual appointments in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Dr. Welch's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley B.S. in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders – Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Austin Dr. Welch's research sits at the intersection of psychology and communication. He seeks to understand how psychological processes like personality and psychopathology influence communication behaviors, and conversely, how communication behaviors impact psycho-social well-being. His work leverages quantitative methods, cross-sectional studies, and intensive longitudinal designs to interrogate the dynamic interplay between psychological processes and voice and communication behaviors. This research aims to advance understanding of functional voice disorders, improve assessment of psychopathology, and promote well-being for people with and without communication disorders. Dr. Welch has received several notable awards: Honors Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD Scholarship (2024) New Century Scholars Doctoral Scholarship from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (2023) New Investigator Forum from The Voice Foundation (2021) As an academic, Dr. Welch serves as an ad hoc peer reviewer for various scientific journals in speech-language pathology and psychology. He is also a mentor in the Students to Empowered Professional Mentoring Program and a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. His teaching includes Special Problems: Introduction to Quantitative Modeling (COMD 8398). Dr. Welch maintains an active research program focused on the intersection of psychology and communication, with particular emphasis on voice disorders and their psychological correlates. His work combines biostatistical approaches with clinical insights to advance understanding in this specialized field.
Amy Bruckman is a Regents’ Professor and Senior Associate Chair in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology. As a Fellow of The ACM and member of the SIGCHI Academy , she contributes to social computing research focusing on online collaboration, cross-cultural understanding, and content moderation. Her 2022 book "Should You Believe Wikipedia? Online Communities and the Construction of Knowledge" explores digital knowledge creation. Education: Ph.D. from MIT Media Lab (1997), B.A. in Physics from Harvard (1987) Research Affiliations: GVU Center, IRI People and Technology Her work addresses social computing challenges including: AI ethics in human-AI interaction Algorithmic bias in content moderation Epistemic justice in online communities Comparative platform analysis (Reddit, Discord, TikTok) Grassroots technology movements Recent publications examine: AI support tools for online counseling Community-driven research frameworks Racial bias mitigation in toxic language detection Designing teachable social media experiences Human trafficking intervention ethics Scientific recognition includes: ACM Fellowship SIGCHI Academy membership She has contributed to: Georgia Tech's Computing Education initiatives Research ethics frameworks for Human-Computer Interaction
Gerald L. Neuman is the J. Sinclair Armstrong Professor of International, Foreign, and Comparative Law at Harvard Law School (HLS), where he serves as Director of the Human Rights Program. His expertise spans human rights, constitutional law, immigration law, and international legal frameworks. Previously, he taught at the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1984-1992) and Columbia Law School (1992-2006). Research Interests: Neuman's work focuses on: Human rights in populist and pandemic contexts Transnational constitutionalism Immigration law and extraterritorial constitutional rights Age discrimination as a human rights violation Impeachment's role in human rights protection Indirect discrimination analysis Selected Trends: His recent articles examine pandemic-era immigration policies ( Title 42 ), impeachment mechanisms for human rights violations, and age discrimination frameworks. Publications show consistent engagement with: Constitutional law intersections Comparative legal analysis Administrative law critiques Human rights treaty body applications Scientific Contributions: Neuman's work appears in leading journals like Harvard International Law Journal and Harvard Human Rights Journal . He has organized workshops on indirect discrimination related to: Sexual orientation/gender identity Chronological age Religious practice Disability rights Pandemic policy impacts He has served as a UN expert workshop organizer and contributed to international human rights literature through edited volumes and treaty analysis.
Dr. Derek E. Daniels is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is a licensed speech-language pathologist specializing in stuttering therapy and psychosocial aspects of stuttering. His research focuses on identity, stigma, intersectionality, and culturally responsive practices, with a particular emphasis on qualitative methods and social justice. He leads Camp Shout Out, a therapeutic camp for children and teens who stutter, and serves as a former President of the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. Daniels holds a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University (2007), an M.A. from the University of Houston (2002), and a B.A. from Grinnell College (1998). His awards include the 2023 Professional of the Year Scholar and Service Award from the National Stuttering Association and the 2025 William T. Simpkins Service Award. He teaches courses such as 'Stuttering' and 'Normal Language Acquisition,' and his work emphasizes reducing stigma through education and advocacy. Dr. Daniels actively participates in professional organizations like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications and presentations globally.
Briana S. Last is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Stony Brook University, with a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania (2022). Her work focuses on improving mental health equity through policy research, implementation science, and community-based approaches. She examines social determinants of mental health, mental health workforce development, and clinical decision-making in public systems. Dr. Last leads the Mental Healthcare for All Lab, collaborating with governments, agencies, and clinicians to strengthen public mental health systems. Her research emphasizes workforce sustainability, anti-transgender policy impacts, and clinician well-being. She has published in high-impact journals like The Milbank Quarterly and Psychiatric Services . Her interdisciplinary methods combine qualitative and quantitative approaches, including mixed methods and implementation science frameworks. Current projects address workforce retention strategies, telehealth policy implications, and the sociopolitical context of gender-affirming care. Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Pennsylvania (2022) Labs: Mental Healthcare for All Lab Key Themes: Behavioral health policy, health equity, clinician-patient dynamics, LGBTQ+ mental health
Douglas K. Snyder is a Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences within the College of Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University. He previously served as Director of Clinical Training from 1991 to 2012 and has been internationally recognized for his research on marital assessment and outcome research on marital therapy, particularly through his development of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory. Dr. Snyder earned his bachelor's degree from Wittenberg University in 1974, received his doctoral degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1978, and completed his internship at Duke University Medical Center. Prior to his appointment at Texas A&M, he served on the faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit and at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, where he also served as Director of Clinical Training and Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Snyder's research emphasizes the assessment, treatment, and prevention of couple relationship distress. His work centers on the Marital Satisfaction Inventory, a multidimensional measure of relationship accord now published in several languages and used worldwide. His treatment research focuses on tailoring therapy to specific partner and relationship characteristics by integrating cognitive, behavioral, emotion-focused, and insight-oriented interventions. His specific clinical interests include treating difficult couples with emotional, behavioral, and health problems, with particular attention to military and veteran couples and those dealing with infidelity. Dr. Snyder's recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in couple therapy, with emphasis on evidence-based approaches, treatment of infidelity, military couples, and cross-cultural applications of couple assessment tools. His work spans theoretical advancements and practical clinical applications. Outstanding Research Publication Award, Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 1991 Professor of the Year Award, Texas Psychological Association - Division of Students, 1993 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Family Psychology, American Psychological Association, 2005 Outstanding Contributions to Science Award, Texas Psychological Association, 2008 Distinguished Alumnae Award, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), 2012 Distinguished Psychologist Award for Lifetime Contributions to Psychotherapy, American Psychological Association, 2015 Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 5, 12, 19, 29, 43) Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Fellow of the Society for Personality Assessment Dr. Snyder has served as Editor of the Clinician's Research Digest and as Associate Editor for the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Family Psychology. His research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, with significant focus on military couples and relationship distress. He has developed evidence-based approaches for assessing and treating relationship problems across diverse cultural contexts. Dr. Snyder is affiliated with the Personality Processes research cluster at Texas A&M University, focusing on objective personality assessment and clinical assessment of couples and families. His work bridges research and clinical practice, with emphasis on developing practical assessment tools and treatment approaches for clinicians working with distressed couples.
Ashli Owen-Smith is a behavioral scientist affiliated with the School of Public Health at Georgia State University , where her research focuses on mental health disparities, suicide prevention, and integrative/complementary approaches for complex mental-physical health conditions. She works with underserved populations including refugees/immigrants, incarcerated individuals, and LGBTQ+ communities through community-based participatory research and mixed-methods frameworks. Her current projects are funded by CDC , DBHDD , and DPH . Education: Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences (Emory, 2009), S.M. in Public Health (Harvard, 2005), B.A. in Psychology (Smith College, 2001) Her research spans mental health , trauma , suicide prevention , and mindfulness-based interventions . Recent work examines telehealth adaptations for chronic pain and mental health, vaccine hesitancy in refugee communities, and social determinants of suicide . She leads studies on gender-affirming care and health disparities in LGBTQ+ populations. Key article trends include epidemiological analysis of suicide risk factors, COVID-19 impacts on mental health, ICD-10 coding for autism, and complementary medicine in trauma recovery. Subfields span telehealth , health equity , mental-physical comorbidity , and community engagement . Students she has mentored include C.A. Scarlett , T. Griner , and M.M. Sesay . Her work integrates public health policy , clinical research , and health systems analysis .
Michaela D.E. Meyer is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Christopher Newport University (CNU), specializing in critical media studies, LGBTQ+ issues, and television/film analysis. Her research bridges interpersonal communication, gender and sexuality studies, and emerging adulthood narratives. Ph.D. in Communication, Ohio University M.S. in Journalism, Ohio University Ph.B. in International Studies, Miami University Her research focuses on intersectional representation in media , LGBTQ+ narratives , and relational aggression in film . She employs narrative and autoethnographic methods to critique political ideologies in popular culture, such as neoliberalism in Fixer Upper and feminist critiques in Glee and Shondaland . Michaela’s recent articles explore themes like disability discourses in Korean television , feminist film auteur theory , and nostalgia in streaming reboots . These works highlight identity politics , gender representation , and media’s role in social discourse . Paul Boaze Prize, Ohio University (2025) Outstanding Panel Award in Sexuality and Gender Identity, Central States Communication Association (2025) Faculty Excellence Award in Undergraduate Research Mentorship, CNU (2025) James W. Chesebro Award for Scholarly Distinction, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Caucus of CSCA (2021) She has mentored undergraduate research and contributed to critical media pedagogy , with grants and service awards reflecting her commitment to diversity and inclusion in academia. Her full scholarship and honors are detailed in the scientific_awards section.
Nicole M. Overstreet is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Clark University, where she has been faculty since Fall 2014. Her work centers on eradicating health inequities through critical theoretical frameworks advancing social justice, equity, and liberation for marginalized communities. Her educational trajectory includes a BA from Smith College, followed by MA and PhD degrees in social psychology from the University of Connecticut. She completed postdoctoral training at Yale University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS. Dr. Overstreet employs intersectionality and community-based participatory research to investigate how interlocking systems of power—including racism, sexism, and gendered racism—impact Black girls and women. Her scholarship critically examines power dynamics within psychology to address stigma and health disparities, while her teaching cultivates intersectional analysis as both critical inquiry and praxis for students. Her accolades include: 2020 Rosiland S. Roberts Faculty Award Emerging Faculty Leader recognition by the WW Foundation Hodgkins Junior Faculty Fellowship for research and teaching excellence She secured $100,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for health equity research. Her mentorship yields exceptional student outcomes, including Adriana Medina’s Diversity Fund Graduate Travel Award, Keegan Daugherty’s Dr. Lee Gurel/John E. Bell Achievement Award, and multiple Steinbrecher Fellowships for lab members examining stigma in autism and LGBTQ+ workplaces. Her lab integrates research, activism, and healing practices focused on Black girls and women, operationalizing intersectionality to challenge health inequities through community-centered scholarship.
Dr. Michael Wilczek is Assistant Teaching Professor in Biotechnology/Bioinformatics at Northeastern University's Roux Institute. His research bridges virology, bioinformatics, and educational innovation, with particular focus on JC polyomavirus pathogenesis and graduate education reform. Key research domains include: Molecular mechanisms of viral infections Bioinformatic analysis of host-pathogen interactions Observational health and real-world evidence Evidence-based graduate education His publication record demonstrates: Expertise in JC polyomavirus cellular pathways Innovative applications of machine learning in virology High-throughput drug screening methodologies Health disparities research in aging populations
Dr. Jennifer L. Aldrich is a Clinical Professor at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University. Her clinical and research interests focus on HIV treatment and prevention, LGBTQ health, adult gender-affirming care, correctional medicine, and telemedicine applications in infectious diseases. Education : MD from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Training : Fellowship in Infectious Diseases and Residency in Internal Medicine at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Certifications : American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine & Infectious Disease) Memberships : American Academy of HIV Medicine, WPATH, GLMA Her work bridges clinical practice in HIV care, correctional health, and telemedicine, with publications addressing antimicrobial use in critical care and HIV-related wasting syndrome. Scientific awards include membership in Alpha Omega Alpha honor society.
Dr. Shufang Sun is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University’s School of Public Health, and Associate Director of the Mindfulness Center. Her work focuses on understanding how stress, trauma, and systemic inequities contribute to health disparities, particularly among marginalized populations like LGBTQ+ individuals, youth, and communities affected by HIV. She develops mindfulness-based, technology-mediated interventions to promote mental health and reduce stigma, with a global focus including China, the Philippines, and Ukraine. Education: PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018). Research interests include mindfulness interventions, mHealth (mobile health), global mental health, HIV prevention, minority stress, and stigma reduction. Her work emphasizes community-engaged research and rigorous evidence synthesis through meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Current projects include interventions for displaced Ukrainians, suicide prevention in rural China, and HIV prevention among transgender women in the Philippines. Her interventions address topics like queer resilience, pandemic mental health, and health equity for vulnerable groups. Awards include the APA’s Barbara Smith Early Career Award and Brown University’s Early Career Research Achievement Award. Grants: Principal investigator on NIH-funded projects totaling over $7.5M, including a $3M R24 grant for mindfulness evidence synthesis and a $621K NIMH grant for school-based suicide prevention in China. Labs/Teams: Director of the Mindfulness for Health Equity Lab, collaborating with global researchers on stigma reduction and digital health innovations.
Brian A. Primack is a Professor of Public Health with tenure at Oregon State University's College of Public Health and Human Sciences, serving as its dean since 2022. Previously, he was Dean of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas and Dean of the Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on social media's impact on mental health, including depression, anxiety, and loneliness. He has authored over 300 publications, including his book You Are What You Click , and secured over $10 million in federal research funding. Dr. Primack's research highlights both risks and opportunities of digital media. He emphasizes optimizing social media use through strategies like curating connections and mitigating negativity. His work intersects education, medicine, and public health, addressing disparities in health outcomes, such as those exacerbated during the pandemic. Notable awards include membership in the American Society of Clinical Investigation (2019) and the Next Big Idea Book Award shortlist (2021). His leadership philosophy prioritizes unlocking potential, fostering community trust, and advancing equitable health solutions. He oversees a college with nearly 2,400 students and $18 million in annual research funding, emphasizing community engagement and innovative scholarship.
Dr. Kelsey A. Bonfils is a Nina Bell Suggs Endowed Professor and Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she directs the Social Cognition & Recovery in Schizophrenia (SCORS) Lab. Her academic journey includes a PhD and MS in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and a BS from the same institution. Dr. Bonfils' research focuses on social cognition mechanisms in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, examining contributing factors like sleep disturbance and developing interventions to improve recovery outcomes. Her work spans clinical psychology applications for adults with serious mental illness, psychosis risk, and emotion regulation processes. She maintains active professional affiliations with the American Psychological Association, Society for Research in Psychopathology, and International Society of Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Her publication portfolio demonstrates strong research trends in: Social cognition and metacognition in psychotic disorders Sleep-psychopathology relationships Innovative psychotherapies for serious mental illness Mental health disparities and treatment accessibility Veterans' mental health services Dr. Bonfils has received the distinguished Nina Bell Suggs Endowed Professorship recognizing her contributions to clinical psychology research. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including Abnormal Psychology, Clinical Psychology Practicum, and Adult Psychotherapy. At the SCORS Lab, Dr. Bonfils leads research on social cognitive processes and recovery-oriented interventions for individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, with current projects investigating sleep-social cognition interactions and metacognitive therapies.
