Professor John W. O'Neill is a Professor of Hospitality Management at Pennsylvania State University's School of Hospitality Management. He serves as Director of the Hospitality Real Estate Strategy Group, focusing on real estate, asset management, and strategic management in the hotel industry. His research bridges financial analysis with operational strategies in hospitality. Education : B.S. in Hotel Administration from Cornell University M.S. in Real Estate from New York University Ph.D. in Business Administration from University of Rhode Island O'Neill's research explores hotel financial performance, debt servicing, brand affiliation, work-family dynamics, and market disruption from platforms like Airbnb. His work combines empirical analysis with strategic frameworks to address industry challenges. Leadership and Research Groups : Director, Hospitality Real Estate Strategy Group Active researcher in hotel valuation and operational risk
Ruth Dill-Macky serves as a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota, based at Stakman Hall and Borlaug Hall in St. Paul, MN. She maintains an active research program focused on cereal crop diseases with USDA Agricultural Research Service funding, collaborating directly with wheat, barley, and oat breeding initiatives to develop resistant varieties. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Botany-Plant Pathology from University of Queensland, Australia (1993) BS in Botany-Plant Pathology (Honours, First Class) from University of Queensland, Australia (1984) BS in Botany and Biochemistry from University of Queensland, Australia (1983) Professor Dill-Macky's research centers on economically devastating diseases of small grains, particularly Fusarium head blight, stem rust, and bacterial leaf streak. Her program develops resistance screening techniques, analyzes inheritance patterns of resistance traits, and conducts epidemiological studies on pathogen spread under varying environmental conditions. She prioritizes translating molecular insights into practical breeding solutions for Minnesota growers. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal intensified focus on molecular characterization of Fusarium resistance mechanisms and Ug99 stem rust threats, alongside emerging bacterial disease challenges. Her work integrates genomics, field trials, and germplasm screening to address yield impacts from pathogens like Xanthomonas translucens, with strong emphasis on developing deployable resistance strategies for cereal production systems. Scientific awards: No specific awards documented in the provided materials She has secured 67 grants as Principal Investigator, primarily through USDA Agricultural Research Service, with active projects extending to 2026. Current work includes molecular characterization of Fusarium head blight, stem rust evaluation in oats, and bacterial leaf streak management. Her program has generated 96 research outputs and one major barley genomics dataset. Professor Dill-Macky leads a multidisciplinary research team collaborating with breeders and USDA scientists, operating field nurseries and molecular labs focused on pathogen virulence and host resistance mechanisms in cereal crops across Minnesota's agricultural landscape.
Dr. Ramya R Aroul is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Finance and Real Estate at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, The University of Texas at Arlington. She has previously held faculty positions at Texas A&M University-Commerce and École hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland. Her academic journey began with a PhD in Finance and Real Estate from UTA in 2014. Research Interests: Financial distress and valuation in asset markets Sentiment in real estate markets Sustainability in residential real estate Endogeneity and simultaneity in hedonic valuation Climate risk and household wealth ESG and REIT performance Her recent publications (2020–2024) reveal a consistent focus on real estate finance, with particular emphasis on distressed sales, green building impacts, market sentiment (especially during crises like COVID-19), and ESG factors in REITs. She employs advanced econometric methods to study pricing anomalies, sustainability premiums, and investor behavior across residential, commercial, and hospitality real estate sectors. Scientific Awards and Honors: Red Pen Award, Journal of Sustainable Real Estate (2023) Champion who impacted Student Learning and Success, Maverick Advantage Distinction (2023, 2022) Augustine "Chuck" Arize Junior Faculty Award, Texas A&M University-Commerce (2019) James R. Webb ARES Foundation Doctoral Student Award (2013) Multiple teaching and research awards from UT Arlington and professional associations Dr. Aroul actively mentors students, serving as advisor and dissertation committee member for several PhD candidates. She has secured competitive research grants, including a $16,000 Research Enhancement Program (REP) award for climate risk research. She is deeply engaged in service, holding editorial board positions at Journal of Real Estate Literature and Journal of Sustainable Real Estate , and serving on the Board of Directors of the American Real Estate Society. Her professional memberships include the Financial Management Association and active participation in women-in-real-estate initiatives.
Alexandre Sousa Guedes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics, Sociology, and Management at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) . He serves as director of the bachelor's degree course in Tourism and coordinates the Tourism and Sustainability Research Group (TURS) at CETRAD. His research focuses on cultural tourism, wine tourism, and river tourism, employing methods like spatial econometrics and network analysis. Education: Bachelor’s in Tourism Management & Planning (University of Aveiro) Master’s in Tourism and Cultural Heritage (University of Minho) Ph.D. in New Resources and Sustainability in Tourism (University of Salamanca) Research Interests : Explores tourism's socio-economic impacts through mixed-methods approaches. Specializes in analyzing wine tourism resilience to crises, river cruise networks, and the spatial effects of cultural landscapes on lodging markets. Projects : Led or contributed to projects like 'Rumo Estratégico do Vinho do Porto' (2017-2018), 'Innovine & Wine' (2016-2019), and Côa Archaeological Park studies (2021-2022), totaling over €129k funding. These projects address competitiveness, heritage management, and low-density tourism challenges. Grants & Advising : Active in applied research with institutions like the Douro region's wine sector and the Côa Parque Foundation. No advisee names listed in available texts. Labs/Teams : Coordinates CETRAD's Tourism and Sustainability Research Group (TURS), focusing on tourism sustainability and regional development.
Randall Upchurch is a Professor at the School of Resort & Hospitality Management (SRHM) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). He holds a Ph.D. in Practical Arts and Vocation Training from the University of Missouri-Columbia (1993). His research focuses on corporate ethics, organizational commitment, environmental citizenship, tourism policy development, consumer behavior, and timeshare operations. Education: Ph.D. in Practical Arts and Vocation Training, University of Missouri-Columbia (1993) Research Interests: Dr. Upchurch explores how ethical frameworks influence hospitality management practices and investigates the intersection of tourism with environmental sustainability. His work includes studies on tourism policy, consumer behavior in energy tourism contexts, and the evolution of timeshare and vacation ownership systems. He has authored the textbook Timeshare Resort Operations (Butterworth-Heinemann) and previously held executive roles in multinational lodging companies, bridging academic and industry insights. Publications Trends: His recent articles address topics such as global citizenship education in tourism contexts, wind energy tourism dynamics, and rural tourism development strategies. Methodologically, he employs mixed approaches including eye-tracking technology and content analysis of visitor data. Awards and Grants: No specific awards or grants are explicitly noted in the provided materials. Advising and Professional Engagement: While no advisees are listed, his executive experience and textbook authorship highlight his role in shaping industry practices. He has conducted research on training needs for small rural tourism operators and conference technology adoption. Labs/Teams: No formal labs or research teams are mentioned, though his work likely involves collaborations with tourism policymakers and industry partners.
John Salazar is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. He earned his PhD from Auburn University, MS from the University of South Alabama, and BS from Northeastern University. Salazar serves as Coordinator of the University of Georgia Hospitality and Food Industry Management Major and has held faculty roles at institutions including the University of South Carolina Beaufort, University of Tennessee, Southern Illinois University, and University of South Alabama. Education: PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Auburn University, MS in Hospitality Administration from University of South Alabama, BS in Business Administration from Northeastern University His research focuses on hospitality human resource dynamics, destination marketing, event management, and pandemic-related travel behavior. Key themes include job satisfaction, learning transfer, cross-cultural tourism, and risk perception analysis. His recent work examines disaster recovery, emotional solidarity, and post-pandemic travel adaptations. With over 80 peer-reviewed publications and $1.2M in grants, Salazar has advised numerous tourism agencies and hospitality firms. He has held leadership roles in academic associations, including Chapter President of the Southeast Travel and Tourism Research Association and Director of Research for the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (Southeast/Central/South America Federation). His technical work includes food safety protocols, travel motivation theory, and empirical studies on tipping behavior. Notable collaborations include research partnerships with Marriott Hotels, Sea Pines Resort, and the US Department of Transportation.
Dr. Shaniel Bernard Simpson is an Assistant Professor at the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management within Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business . With expertise in sustainability, environmental management, and social justice in hospitality, she teaches courses on Lodging Management and Hospitality Market Data Analytics. Research Focus: ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in hospitality, sustainability communication, consumer behavior toward innovation, and environmental management. Awards: 2020 Student Involvement Award at Auburn University for academic and leadership excellence. Industry Expertise: Former Guest Service Manager, Events Planner, and Marketing Manager in hospitality and tourism sectors. Education: PhD in Nutrition, Dietetics & Hospitality Management (Auburn University, 2020); MS in Hospitality Business Management (University of Delaware). Publication Trends: Recent work spans sustainability certifications, environmental messaging in hotels, and digital transformation in the restaurant industry. Collaborative research with scholars like Nicolau, Rahman, and Singal highlights her focus on bridging academic rigor with industry challenges.
Natalie Haynes serves as Division Head for Global Business, Hospitality and Tourism Management within Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University, leading academic programs in international business, hospitality management, tourism management, and aviation. Her leadership spans recruitment, employability, and international partnerships since assuming the role in 2024. Her research expertise focuses on Hospitality Revenue Management , Hotel Pricing Strategy , and Big Data Applications in Tourism , with significant contributions to understanding how data-driven systems impact pricing decisions. She examines revenue management across diverse sectors including hotels, campsites, and visitor attractions, while also exploring gender dynamics in the event industry. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on post-pandemic revenue recovery , temporal pricing models , and ethical considerations in hospitality operations . Her work bridges theoretical economic principles with practical revenue management applications, increasingly incorporating big data analytics while questioning over-reliance on automated systems. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority Editorial Board Member, Journal of Tourism Futures Natalie actively supervises DBA and PhD students in innovation and smart services while serving as an external examiner for other institutions. Her industry background in hotel sales, marketing, and revenue management with major brands provides practical grounding for her academic work, particularly evident in her collaborative white paper on hospitality management education with the Council of Hospitality Management Education.
Jay Lee is an Associate Professor in the School of Hospitality Leadership at the College of Business, East Carolina University, where he has been a faculty member since Fall 2012. He teaches core courses such as Lodging Management I and II, Hospitality Services Management, and Convention and Special Event Management, and mentors students in the Senior Honors College Project. Education: Ph.D. in Human Ecology (Hospitality Management and Dietetics), Kansas State University M.S. in Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas B.B.A. in Business Administration and B.A. in Spanish, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, Korea Dr. Lee's research focuses on organizational behavior within the hospitality industry. Key areas include emotional labor, emotional intelligence, employee engagement, service sabotage, burnout, and customer service dynamics. His current projects explore cultural intelligence, customer mistreatment of service employees, and the role of senior workers and customers in hospitality settings. These interests reflect a deep commitment to improving employee well-being and service quality in the sector. His scholarly work has been published in leading academic journals such as International Journal of Hospitality Management , Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research , Journal of Travel Research , International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , and Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management . While specific articles are not listed, the breadth and prestige of these outlets indicate a strong and sustained research trajectory in service management and hospitality behavior. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Dr. Lee advises undergraduate honors students and brings extensive real-world experience to his academic role. With 15 years of professional experience in the hospitality industry, he has held leadership positions including General Manager, Director of International Operations, and Director of Human Resources in internationally renowned hotels and food service companies in South Korea and the United States. This industry background enriches his teaching and research, ensuring practical relevance. He has not received any named grants in the text provided. There is no mention of specific research labs or formal research teams led by Dr. Lee in the provided information.
Cristian Morosan is a Professor at the University of Houston's College of Global Hospitality Leadership, specializing in information technology adoption and innovation within hospitality. With over 20 years of teaching experience and 30 years in the industry, he focuses on biometric systems, mobile technology, and digital transformation. Education: B.S. in Tourism and Services Management from University Stefan cel Mare (Romania), M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Foodservice and Lodging Management from Iowa State University Research Areas: His work spans technology ethics, digital marketing strategies, and operational innovation. Key projects include AI integration in hotel services, pandemic-related contactless systems, and consumer behavior analysis in digital hospitality environments. Scientific Contributions: Funded by the European Union and Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, he has published over 200 peer-reviewed works with 3,800+ citations. Notable awards include multiple research excellence and teaching innovation recognitions.
Diana Catalina Beltran serves as a Professor at the University of Southern California's Bovard College, leveraging 15+ years of hospitality executive experience to advance sustainable practices in academia and industry. Her expertise bridges corporate sustainability leadership with cutting-edge hospitality education. Education: BS in Travel and Tourism Management (Minor: Hotel & Lodging) - Florida International University MS in Sustainability Management - Columbia University Research Focus: Professor Beltran pioneers the integration of environmental stewardship into hospitality operations through her "People, Planet, Profit" framework. Her work critically examines greenhouse gas accounting methodologies, carbon offsetting strategies for lodging operations, and sustainability protocols for emerging space tourism ventures. She demonstrates how operational waste reduction simultaneously enhances brand value, community engagement, and financial performance. Academic Leadership: As course instructor for Managing Service Quality in Hospitality and Tourism, she emphasizes the interdependence of tangible service elements and intangible emotional experiences. Her mentoring philosophy prioritizes real-world application, urging students to network aggressively, challenge comfort zones, and implement classroom knowledge immediately in professional settings to accelerate industry transformation.
Rick Lagiewski is an Assistant Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology's Saunders College of Business , specializing in the Department of International Hospitality and Service Innovation . With 25 years of teaching experience, he focuses on hospitality and tourism education through global perspectives. Education: BS & MS from RIT, Ph.D. from Edinburgh Napier University His research explores destination marketing, disaster resilience in lodging, and international tourism collaborations. He has worked with the EastWest Institute on Balkans tourism, studied Croatian lodging privatization through a State Department fellowship, and developed gamified marketing strategies for New York State's Path Through History program. Recent publication trends examine hotel services during disasters, CSR in disaster relief, and AR/VR applications in tourism. His work with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation focuses on lodging sector resilience. Scientific Awards US Department of State Fellowship Lagiewski leads international study programs across six countries and has co-authored works on tourism policy, educational internationalization, and technology integration in hospitality services.
Daniel Remar serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics within the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia (UGA), with contact details daniel.remar@uga.edu and 706-542-0755. Previously, he held an Assistant Professor position in Hospitality Management at the University of New Hampshire's Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. His educational qualifications include: PhD in Hospitality Management from University of South Carolina Master of Liberal Arts in Gastronomy from Boston University Bachelor of Science in Communications from Boston University Dr. Remar's research centers on restaurant consumer demands, attitudes, and pricing strategies with emphasis on local and sustainable food systems. His NOAA-funded project assesses market potential for underutilized fish species in foodservice. Teaching responsibilities encompass Food and Service Management, Restaurant Operations, Food Production Management, and International Food, Beverage and Culture, reflecting his industry expertise spanning front/back-of-house management across US establishments and a Michelin-starred apprenticeship in France. Professional recognition includes: Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) His industry experience features consulting for Sodexo USA at University of South Carolina and chef/owner apprenticeship at Le Clos Saint Roch (Michelin One-Star restaurant in Provence). He maintains Certified Hospitality Educator designation from the American Hotel and Lodging Association and ServSafe Certification through the National Restaurant Association, bridging academic rigor with practical hospitality management expertise.
Professor Seul Ki Lee is a faculty member in the Department of Hotel, Tourism and Food Service Management at Sejong University. He has served as Director of the Tourism Industry Data Analytics Lab (TIDAL) since 2017 and previously held roles as Associate Dean for International Affairs and Director of the LINC+ Project. His academic career spans Sejong University (2010–present) and Temple University (2012–2014). PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University (2012) MS in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University (2009) BBA in Hotel and Tourism Management, Sejong University (2006) Lee’s research focuses on tourism economics , hospitality strategy , and data-driven decision-making . Key areas include spatial price competition , hotel market dynamics , and consumer behavior in tourism , with a strong emphasis on econometric modeling applied to travel expenditure patterns and lodging industry efficiency. Recent publications highlight trends in tourism data analytics , hotel pricing strategies , and agritourism impact . His work employs advanced econometric techniques like Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) and spatial econometric approaches to analyze lodging market competition, consumer resistance to pricing, and regional tourism efficiency. Lee leads the Tourism Industry Data Analytics Lab (TIDAL) at Sejong University, which focuses on big data applications in tourism and hospitality. He has taught courses ranging from undergraduate Principles of Accounting/Economics to graduate-level Research Methodology and Location Analysis .
Frank P. Tona is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Norwich University, with additional adjunct appointments at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the University of Maryland-University College. He serves as a Sergeant with the Charles County, Maryland Sheriff's Office—a full-service agency serving approximately 160,000 residents located 25 miles south of Washington, DC, and 60 miles south of Baltimore, MD—where he has been employed since 2002. His educational background includes: Undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Brockport Graduate degree in Public Administration from Norwich University Dr. Tona's research and professional expertise centers on Criminology and Criminal Justice, with specialized focus on Criminal Investigations, Homicide Investigations, Cold Case Resolution, and Hostage Negotiations. His work integrates academic theory with frontline law enforcement practice, particularly in complex investigative techniques and crisis resolution strategies. His professional recognition includes: Fellow of the Police Foundation, Washington DC Dr. Tona has held significant leadership roles including Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #24 (2007-2013) and currently serves as a Board Member of the Mid-Atlantic Cold Case Homicide Investigator's Association. His professional network spans the Northeast Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the International Association for Identification, and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. Within the Charles County Sheriff's Office, he operates in the Criminal Investigations Division while leading the Hostage Negotiations Team, directly applying academic insights to real-world criminal justice challenges.
